Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge

Siegrist's Mill Covered Bridge spans about 88 feet over Chiques Creek, connecting Rapho and West Hempfield townships with wooden double Burr arch truss construction. The structure features a deck width of roughly 12 feet and overhead clearance of about 11.5 feet for vehicle passage.

James C. Carpenter built this bridge in 1885 for the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners as part of the region's infrastructure expansion. The structure survived for over a century but required major restoration after severe damage in 2011, reopening with reinforced elements three years later.

Religious passages painted on wooden boards beneath the bridge deck show how faith was woven into the everyday infrastructure of Lancaster County communities. These painted messages remain visible to travelers crossing the creek, creating a personal connection between the structure and those who use it.

The bridge accommodates vehicle traffic but has limited width and clearance, so larger vehicles need to proceed carefully. Visitors should move slowly to protect the historic structure and to safely experience the crossing over the creek.

Tropical Storm Lee caused major damage to the bridge in 2011, but restoration efforts brought it back to service with new structural reinforcements. This recovery demonstrates how historic wooden bridges can be preserved using modern engineering techniques while maintaining their original character.

Location: Rapho Township

Location: West Hempfield Township

GPS coordinates: 40.07600,-76.47100

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:05