Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge

The Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the oldest bridge in the county still in use.[1] A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the Big Conestoga #2 Bridge. The bridge is also called Martin's Mill Bridge, Eberly's Cider Mill Covered Bridge, and Fiand's/Fiantz's Covered Bridge.

For other covered bridges named Martin's Mill, see Martin's Mill Covered Bridge.
Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge
One of the sides of the bridge
Coordinates40°8′25.5″N 76°9′7″W
CarriesSR 1013
CrossesConestoga River
LocaleLancaster, Pennsylvania, United States
Official nameBig Conestoga #2 Bridge
Other name(s)Eberly's Cider Mill, Martin's Mill,
Big Conestoga #2, Fiand's, Fiantz's
Maintained byLancaster County
NBI Number361013025007460
Characteristics
Total length90 ft (27 m)
Width15 ft (4.6 m)
Height11.5 ft (3.5 m)
Load limit20 short tons (18 t)
History
Constructed byGeorge Fink,
Sam Reamsnyder
Built1846
MPSCovered Bridges of Lancaster County TR
NRHP reference No.80003516
Added to NRHPDecember 11, 1980
Location

The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks.[2] Added later, secondary steel I-beams support the bridge from underneath.[1] The bridge is painted red on the outside, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges. The inside of the bridge is not painted. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. As of July 2006, the bridge has some damage to its sides including some missing or broken panels.

The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-04.[3] In 1980 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003516.[4] It is located at 40°8′25.8″N 76°9′7.2″W (40.1405, -76.1520)[5] near the junction of U.S. Route 222 and U.S. Route 322 southeast of Ephrata in West Earl Township. The bridge can be reached by going approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south from U.S. Route 322 on Cabin Drive which becomes Conestoga Creek Road. A left onto Cider Mill Road leads straight to the bridge, which is visible from the intersection.

History

The bridge was built in 1846 by George Fink and Sam Reamsnyder at a cost of $1,115. They used a single span, wooden, double Burr arch truss construction. At some point later, steel I-beams were installed under the floor to add support to the oldest bridge in Lancaster County. The bridge has historically been referred to by a number of names that reflected the various mill owners.[1] In 1962, it was proposed to replace the bridge with a concrete span, but the plan was discontinued after much public outcry.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge". Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country Official Visitors Center. Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau. 2006. Archived from the original on March 17, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2006.
  2. "Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge". Lancaster County, PA Government Portal. County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. October 20, 2001. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2006.
  3. McCain, Roger A. "Bitzer's Mill Bridge". A Guide to Old Covered Bridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania and nearby areas. Archived from the original on May 29, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  4. "PENNSYLVANIA - Lancaster County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  5. Travis, Dale. "38-36-04". Round Barns & Covered Bridges. Retrieved August 7, 2006.
  6. Evans, Benjamin D.; June R. Evans (2001). Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges: A complete guide. University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 159. ISBN 0-8229-5764-7.
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