Kentucky's Covered Bridges
Featured below are descriptions of Kentucky's Covered Bridges and resources for further research available at the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives. To reserve books from this list, librarians may contact Interlibrary Loan at (502) 564-8300, ext. 327. Members of the general public may request materials by contacting their public library, or check materials out on-site with a KDLA library card. To request copies of newspaper or magazine articles, call the Reference Desk at (502) 564-8300, ext. 342.
Walcott Covered Bridge (1824) also known as White Covered Bridge |
|
| Location | Bracken County KY 1159 over Locust Creek, approx. .03 miles north of KY 9 N38° 44.0' W84°.06' |
| Original Materials | King and queen truss; hand-hewn joints and beams; yellow poplar; shingled roof; logs from West Virginia which were floated down the Ohio River |
| Rebuilt | 1881 |
| Description | First constructed in 1824, the bridge was rebuilt in 1881 and remained
intact until 1999 when constant flooding had virtually destroyed the structure.
During reconstruction, engineers moved the bridge 400 feet east. The bridge was privately owned until 1953, when it was deeded to the Bracken Co. Historical Society, then to the Dept. of Parks. During the Civil War, the bridge was used by Confederate General Basil Duke's men to cross to Brookesville after the Raid on Augusta in 1862. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association The Land of Covered Bridges |
| Read More... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8. (Map) |
| Kentucky News, May 4, 1973, Bonnie Brockman (Press Release) | |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Kentucky Post, Oct. 30, 1996, pg. 1KK | |
| Herald Leader, Dec. 18, 1991, Community Section, pg 8-9. | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 16-17. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 45-50. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 36. Call number: 624 Alle | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 53-56. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Valley Pike Covered Bridge (Private Road) |
|
| Location | Mason County Valley Pike Road, over a tributary of Lee Creek, Frasure Branch approx. 0.8 miles north of KY 3056 N38° 39.9' W83° 52.6' |
| Photos | Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read More... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8. (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9. | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 100-102. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Dover Covered Bridge (1835) | |
| Location | Mason County KY 3313, over Lee Creek approx. 0.1 miles south of KY 8 |
| Additional Construction | 1928, 1966; by Bower Bridge Company, State Highway Department |
| Original Materials | 60'; queens post truss, "barn type" |
| Description | Built in 1835, the bridge is one of the oldest remaining in the Commonwealth. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association The Land of Covered Bridges |
| Read More... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8. (Map) |
| Kentucky News, May 4, 1973, Bonnie Brockman (Press Release) | |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9. | |
| Kentucky Post, Oct. 30, 1996, pg. 1KK | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 94-99. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 36. Call number: 624 Alle | |
Cabin Creek Covered Bridge (1870) also known as Rectorville or Mackey Hughes Covered Bridge |
|
| Location | Lewis County Cabin Creek Road at KY 984, over Cabin Creek approx. .25 miles east of the Mason/Lewis county line N38° 36.5' W83° 37.2' |
| Original Materials | 114'; Burr truss with laminated arches |
| Description | No longer in use. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg D1 and D8. (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Kentucky Post, Oct 30, 1996, pg. 1KK | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg. 24 | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 89-94. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 45-48. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Bennett's Mill Covered Bridge (1855) |
|
| Location | Greenup County KY 7, approx. 9 miles north, or KY 10 over Tygart's Creek N38° 37.853' W82° 55.606' |
| Original Materials | Stephen H. Long truss; third set of chords; yellow pine timbers; poplar siding; oak floor; white oak shingled roof; dressed sandstone abutments |
| Original Contractor | Parmly Bennett |
| Description | Built with 155-foot Wheeler trusses, the bridge is the only example still standing. The bridge was temporarily closed in 2001 for repairs. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Kentucky Explorer, March 1990, pg 34-36 | |
| Kentucky Post, Oct. 30, 1996, pg. 1KK | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg. 24 | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 76-80. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 37. Call number: 624 Alle | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 41-44. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Oldtown Covered Bridge (1880) |
|
| Location | Greenup County KY 3111, approx. 2 miles east of KY 1, over Little Sandy River N38° 25.904' W82° 53.678' |
| Additional Construction | 1972-1973 |
| Original Materials | 192' double span -- unequal length; Burr truss; poplar; oak floor; dressed sandstone abutments |
| Additional Materials | Douglas fir, white oak, yellow pine and poplar |
| Description | During the past ten years, the bridge has been rebuilt with different materials. The bridge now differs from its original appearance. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Signs of History Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg 24 | |
| Kentucky Explorer, March 1990, pg. 34-36 | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 81-85. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 37. Call number: 624 Alle | |
Hillsboro Covered Bridge (1860) also known as Grange City Covered Bridge |
|
| Location | Fleming County KY 111 at Ringo Mills/Grange City Road approx. 2.8 miles south of Hillsboro N38° 15.3' W83° 39.2 |
| Original Materials | 84', 86'; Burr truss with multiple king posts; red stone abutments |
| Additional Materials | Corrugated sheet metal roof and sides |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg. 24 | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 22-23. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 55-59. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 36. Call number: 624 Alle | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 69-72. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Ringos Mill Covered Bridge (1867) |
|
| Location | Fleming County KY 158 at Rawlings Road over Fox Creek approx. 2 miles north of Ringos Mill N38° 16.1' W83° 36.6' |
| Additional Construction | 1984 |
| Original Materials | 86'; yellow pine trusses |
| Original Contractor | Louis Stockton Bower, L.A. Thompson |
| Description | This bridge carries KY 158 across Fox Creek. |
| Photos | Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read More... | Courier Journal Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Rural Kentuckian Sept. 1985, pg. 8-10. | |
| Herald Leader Dec. 18, 1991, Community Section, pg. 8-9 | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 20-21. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 60-70. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 36. Call number: 624 Alle | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 65-68. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Goddard Covered Bridge (age unknown) |
|
| Location | Fleming County |
| Additional Construction | 1932, 1968-1969 |
| Original Materials | 62', 63'; Ithiel Town lattice design; wooden pegs |
| Original Contractor | Louis Stockton Bower |
| Description | This bridge is the only town and lattice truss bridge remaining in Kentucky. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association Fleming County Tourism Site Center for Virtual Appalachia |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Rural Kentuckian Sept. 1985, pg. 8-10. | |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Kentucky Post Oct. 30, 1996, pg. 1KK | |
| Kentucky News May 4, 1973, Bonnie Brockman (Press Release) | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 18-19. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 51-54. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 36. Call number: 624 Alle | |
Johnson Creek Covered Bridge (1874, 1878) |
|
| Location | Robertson County KY 1029 over Johnson Creek, just south of Swart Road N38° 28.9' W83° 58.7' |
| Original Materials | 110', 131'; poplar; follow old buffalo trace; Smith-type truss; reinforced arches; unusually flat roof |
| Original Contractor | Jacob Bower |
| Description | Once carrying KY 1029 across Johnson Creek, the bride is no longer open to traffic. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Courier Journal Magazine, Aug. 10, 1975, pg. 23+ | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 41-44. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 77-80. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Colville Covered Bridge (1887) |
|
| Location | Bourbon County KY 3118 over Hinkston Creek N38° 19476' W84° 12.194' |
| Additional Construction | 1913, 1937, 1966, 2001 |
| Original Materials | 120'; double post and brace |
| Description | Once a toll bridge, the bridge is accompanied by a white tollgate house built at the same time. Tolls were taken every day except Sunday, or if the carriage was going to a funeral or to school. |
| Photos | Paris-Bourbon
County Tourism Site Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read More... | Courier Journal Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Kentucky News, May 4, 1973, Bonnie Brockman (Press Release) | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg. 24 | |
| Courier Journal July 8, 1995, Pg. A9 | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 14-15. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 41-44. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 57. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Switzer Covered Bridge (1855) |
|
| Location | Franklin County KY 1262, over North Elkhorn Creek approx. 1 mile east of KY 1689 N38° 15.270' W84° 45.122 |
| Additional Construction | 1906, 1911, 1991 |
| Original Materials | 120'; yellow poplar' wood shingle roof' sawtooth edged entrance |
| Additional Materials | Poplar beams; tin roof |
| Original Contractors | Jacob Bower, Louis Bower, George Hockensmith |
| Additional Contractors | LeRoy and Gary Wood |
| Description | In 1997, the bridge was washed away in a flood, then restored in 1998. It is the only sawtooth edged entrance bridge in Kentucky. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read more... | Kentucky Living, July 1993, vol. 47, #7, pg. 9-10 |
| Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8 (Map) | |
| Courier Journal July 8 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg. 24 | |
| Kentucky News, June 21, 1974, Paula Alexander (press release) | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 24-25. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 71-75. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
| Allen, Richard Sanders. Covered Bridges of the South. New York, Bonanza Books, 1970. p. 34-35. Call number: 624 Alle | |
| Brandenburg, Phyllis and David. Kentucky's Covered Bridges: Vanishing Kentucky Scenes. Cincinnati, Harvest Press, 1968. p. 13-16. Call number: K917.69 Bran | |
Beech Fork Covered Bridge (1871, 1865) also known as Mooresville Covered Bridge |
|
| Location | Washington County KY 458, approx. 2.5 north of KY 55 over Beech Fork Creek N37° 49.723' W85° 15.407' |
| Additional Construction | 1910 |
| Original Materials | 226'' double arch span |
| Additional Contractors | Louis Bower, Cornelius Barnes |
| Description | Once carrying the Springfield and Chaplin Turnpike across the Beech Fork River, the bridge is a two span Burr truss bridge (each 102 feet long) making it the longest covered bridge in Kentucky. The bridge is no longer in use. |
| Photos | Kentucky
Atlas and Gazetteer Kentucky Covered Bridge Association |
| Read more... | Courier Journal, Nov. 3, 1995, pg. D1 and D8 (Map) |
| Courier Journal, July 8, 1995, pg. A9 | |
| Kentucky Post, Oct. 30, 1996, pg. 1KK | |
| Herald Leader, July 2, 1981, pg. 24 | |
| Powell, Robert A. Kentucky's Covered Wooden Bridges and Water-Powered Mills. Lexington: Kentucky Images, 1984. p. 28-29. Call number: K624.37769 Powe | |
| White, Vernon. Covered Bridges: Focus on Kentucky. Berea: Kentucke Imprints, 1985. p. 108-113. Call number: K624.37769 Whit | |
Information Updated:07/01/2005