Kentucky Map courtesy of Kentucky Atlas & Gazetteer




There seems to be no record of all the covered bridges built in Kentucky. Most of the earlier ones were built by individuals or private companies. Some of the Historic Markers say there were more than 400 covered bridges in Kentucky at one time. While covered bridges were built in all parts of the state, they were concentrated in the central and northern part areas. Kentucky's "Timbered Tunnels" Are Rare and Scenic Connections to the Past. Covered bridges are fascinations of engineering and architecture, weathered reminders of days gone by, star attractions in scenic snapshots. Nestled along back roads like hidden jewels, they are the perfect excuse for a leisurely drive in the country. And most are within an easy drive of Lexington. Five of Kentucky’s covered bridges are still open to traffic; you can walk through the others. As you rumble across in your car, or pass your hand across the heavy wooden pegs and timbers rough-hewn to the eye, but worn smooth by the years you’ll experience the living sensations of another era. These charming passages through time combine with other Bluegrass- area attractions to create memorable day excursions from Lexington.


Wooden bridges are built with a roof and walls to protect the main structure from rain, snow, sun and wind. Snow and rain will soak in and cause the timber to rot. Sun and wind will dry the surface of the beams and cause them to become fragile and useless. Bridges were also built covered to facilitate the passage of horse-drawn vehicles without causing the animal to be spooked by fast moving waters below and also became a refuge to travelers caught in downpours and storms. Stone bridges have always been the most popular way to cross rivers and streams but, in many locations, the availability of timber presented a cheaper alternative. The amount of manpower and material needed to erect a masonry span was always overshadowed by its longevity. The wooden span could be made and replaced much faster. During the Civil War, many of Kentucky's covered bridges were burned by both Union and Confederate troops. More were lost in the 1900s, victims to modern replacement, arson, and neglect. A statewide program to repair and preserve Kentucky's covered bridges wasn't begun until 1996. All of Kentucky's remaining covered bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.






BEECH FORK BRIDGE (Washington County) - Built in 1865 by Cornelius Barnes. Beech Fork Bridge once carried the Springfield and Chaplin traffic across the Beech Fork River. No longer in use, it is just off HWY458 12 miles north of Springfield and 7 miles south from exit 34 from the Bluegrass Parkway. It is also known as the Mooresville Bridge. National Register of Historical Places #88003429. It is a two span Burr truss bridge, Originally 226' long and 18' wide, each 102 feet long, making it the longest covered bridge in Kentucky. The bridge architects were the King Iron Bridge & Manufacturing in Cleveland.





BENNETTS MILL BRIDGE (Greenup County) - It is a 155-foot Wheeler truss bridge, the only example still standing, and was in use until recently. Built in 1855, the bridge spans Tygarts Creek. Original footings and frame intact, the bridge was never painted. The bridge was built by brothers, BF and Parmaly Bennett to accommodate customers located on the west side of the creek to reach their mill. It has been reported that the bridge was the oldest, longest, single span covered bridge in the world. It was recently restored at a cost of over one million dollars in 2003. National Register of Historical Places #76000892. The bridge was closed and dismantled in 2001. Under contract with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Intech Contracting reconstructed the bridge to historic specification and using as much of the real bridge as possible. The bridge is 8 miles northwest of Greenup on HWY7.





CABIN CREEK BRIDGE (Lewis County) - It is also known as the Rectorville Bridge or Mackey-Hughes Bridge. Built in 1873, spanning Cabin Creek, the bridge is a 114' single-span Burr truss design with laminated arches and truss rods added later. The bridge is deteriorating rapidly from both weather and vandalism. National Register of Historical Places #76000912. It was closed to traffic in 1983. The bridge is 16 miles west of Vanceburg & 8 miles east of Maysville on HWY984.





COLVILLE BRIDGE (Bourbon County) - Built in 1877 by Jacob Bowers. The bridge measures 124' long and 18' wide and spans Hinkston Creek. This bridge is an excellent example of burr truss construction, a combination of arch and truss, patented by Theodore Burr in 1817. National Register of Historical Places #74000850. Originally a double post and brace bridge with a single 124-foot span, the bridge was severely damaged by floods in 1997 and was reconstructed by the state Department of Transportation in 2001 using 18% of the original bridge. The bridge is 11 miles north of Paris on HWY3118.





DOVER BRIDGE (Mason County) - Built in 1835, it is one of oldest remaining covered bridges in the state. It is 61' long and spans Lees Creek with a double set of queenpost trusses on each side. National Register of Historical Places #76000923. In later years iron beams were added to reinforce the bridge and is open to traffic. The bridge is 11 miles northwest of Maysville on HWY3113.





GODDARD BRIDGE (Fleming County) - It is the only Ithiel Town lattice truss bridge remaining in Kentucky. The exact date for when the bridge was built is unknown, though it has been dated back as far as the 1820's. It is 90' long and spans Sand Lick Creek. National Register of Historical Places #75000756. A $1 million restoration will bring the aging structure back to life. Prior to this restoration, no one had worked on the bridge since craftsman Stockton Bower in 1968. The bridge should be ready for opening in the summer of 2006. It is located 9 miles southeast of Flemingsburg on HWY32.





GRANGE CITY BRIDGE (Fleming County) - It was built between 1865 and 1870 and is an 86' long double kingpost and brace design spanning Fox Creek. Also known as the Hillsboro bridge. It was closed to traffic in 1968. This bridge has been slightly rebuilt and restored in 2000. National Register of Historical Places #76000881. Located 17 miles south of Flemingsburg on HWY111.





JOHNSON CREEK BRIDGE (Robertson County) - Built in 1874 by the noted bridge builder Jacob Bower. It is 114' long and 16' wide and has a Smith-type truss reinforced with arches. Spanning Johnson Creek it was partially destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1910. National Register of Historical Places #76000941. In 2003 it was announced that this bridge would probably have to be taken down for renovations because of severe damage from flooding. It has been flooded, burned, and vandalized, and it is leaning to one side. Intech Contractors Inc. holds the contract on Johnson Creek Bridge. The bridge is 9 miles southeast of Mt Olivet on HWY1029.





OLDTOWN BRIDGE (Greenup County) - Built about 1880 it is a 187' double post and brace bridge. National Register of Historical Places #76000893. Rebuilt in the late 1990's and completed in 1999. It spans Little Sandy River. The bridge is located 12 miles south of Greenup on HWY1.





RINGOS MILL BRIDGE (Fleming County) - Closed to motor traffic in 1969. Spanning Fox Creek at 81' in length. National Register of Historical Places #76000880. Built in 1868 by Louis Stockton Bower. Truss is multiple kingpost. The bridge is 15 miles south of Flemingsburg on HWY158.





SWITZER BRIDGE (Franklin County) - Closed to motor traffic in 1954 it spans North Elkhorn Creek. It's 120' long Howe truss design and 12' wide. Built in 1855 by George Hockensmith. Louis Bower restored the Howe truss design bridge in 1906. It was also restored again in 1990. National Register of Historical Places #74000875. In March 1997 it was knocked from its foundation by high water and was rebuilt in 1998. The State of Kentucky made the Switzer Bridge the Official Covered Bridge of Kentucky in 1998. The bridge is 8 miles northeast of Frankfort on hwy1262.





VALLEY PIKE BRIDGE (Mason County) - The Valley Pike bridge has served as part of the private drive to the Bouldin family farm since 1864. Length is 24' long and spans Lee Creek. Truss is kingpost. The bridge was rebuilt by Stock Bower in 1972. National Register of Historical Places #76000924. Before 1965, when it was discovered by the KCBA as the bridge wasn't well known. Only then did the family allow it's location to be publicly known. The bridge is 8 miles west of Maysville off HWY3056 on Valley Pike road.





WALCOTT BRIDGE (Bracken County) - Built in 1824 spaning Locust Creek, probably replacing an earlier bridge built in 1821. It is a 74' combination king and queenpost truss design. Also known at the White Bridge. National Register of Historical Places #75000738. In 2002 the Walcott bridge was taken apart and rebuilt and put back using only 10% of the original bridge by Intech Contracting Inc. It was also moved up the creek 600' from the original site. The bridge is 4 miles north of Brooksville on HWY9.





Photos ©John Hultgren - Used With Permission










www.hultgren.org/bridges
www.kycoveredbridges.org