Meems Bottom Covered Bridge

Meems Bottom Covered Bridge is a wooden road bridge spanning the North Fork of the Shenandoah River with a Burr arch structure. It crosses a considerable length and connects both banks using traditional timber construction techniques.

Engineer Franklin Hiser Wissler built this bridge in 1892 to access his apple orchards at Strathmore Farms. It replaced three earlier structures that had been destroyed by flood waters.

The bridge takes its name from the Meem family, who owned extensive land in the area and supplied timber for its construction. Their name remains connected to this place and reflects the local families who shaped the region.

The bridge sits near US-11 with a parking area at the west end where you can leave your car. It remains open for vehicle traffic and can be crossed at any time of day.

Vandalism caused a fire in 1976 that heavily damaged the structure, leading to a major restoration effort. Workers carefully reused the original charred wooden pieces and reinforced the bridge with additional modern materials for greater durability.

Location: Shenandoah County

Inception: 1894

Architectural style: Burr Truss

GPS coordinates: 38.72060,-78.65560

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:51