Frankenfield Covered Bridge

Frankenfield Covered Bridge spans 82 feet across Tinicum Creek using a town truss design with sturdy oak construction and protective wooden walls. The structure sits on Cafferty Road with a 9.42-foot clearance for vehicles passing through.

Built in 1872, this structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 for its engineering and architectural significance. The recognition acknowledged its importance as a 19th-century transportation solution in rural Pennsylvania.

This bridge is part of Pennsylvania's collection of covered structures that demonstrate how 19th-century communities solved the challenge of crossing water. Walking across allows visitors to see firsthand the craftsmanship and wooden construction methods that local builders used.

Access is via Cafferty Road and the bridge remains open for vehicle traffic, though crossing at appropriate speed is recommended. The low 9.42-foot clearance means larger vehicles should proceed carefully or use alternative routes.

The structure uses the town truss system where diagonally arranged wooden beams distribute weight in a specific way that was innovative for its era. This engineering approach allowed builders to span longer distances than previous methods could achieve.

Location: Pennsylvania

GPS coordinates: 40.47580,-75.09940

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:15