Goddard Covered Bridge

The Goddard Covered Bridge is a wooden lattice truss crossing Sand Lick Creek with a span of about 63 feet. The structure uses a traditional town lattice design fastened with wooden pins rather than nails, and steel reinforcement stabilizes the creek banks near its support points.

This bridge was built in 1864 by architect Joseph Goddard and is listed among historic sites in the region. In 1933, it was moved about one mile from its original location when Highway 32 was reconstructed.

This structure reflects how 19th-century rural communities in Kentucky depended on practical building techniques to connect distant settlements. Visitors walking across can sense how such bridges became central to local life and travel patterns of that era.

This crossing is designed for light vehicles, with a weight limit of about 4 tons for passage. Access is straightforward since the structure sits along a local road and can be reached easily on foot or by car.

The wooden covering shields the lattice framework from weather, allowing the timber to dry slowly and maintain strength over many decades. This protection was a practical way to extend the lifespan of wooden structures in a humid climate.

Location: Fleming County

Inception: 1864

GPS coordinates: 38.36222,-83.61556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:21