St. Mary's Covered Bridge, place in Pennsylvania listed on National Register of Historic Places
St. Mary's Covered Bridge is a wooden bridge in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, that crosses Shade Creek along Route 522. The structure measures about 65 feet long and 17.5 feet wide, featuring a Howe Truss design that uses diagonal wooden supports and vertical metal rods for strength.
The bridge was built in 1896, though a plaque on the structure dates it to 1889. It is the only remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County and was reinforced in 1982 with steel I-beams beneath the wooden deck to support modern vehicles while preserving its historical appearance.
The bridge takes its name from St. Mary's Catholic Church across the road, which frames the backdrop of the site. For the local community, it has served as a meeting point and remains a symbol of the craftsmanship and building traditions of the late 1800s.
The bridge is open to vehicle traffic and can be located using GPS coordinates 40.205921, -77.878127. A paved parking area is available nearby, but be aware of the busy adjacent road and mailboxes along the roadside.
This is one of only four remaining Howe Truss covered bridges in Pennsylvania, making it a rare example of this specific construction method from the 1800s. Its distinctive light red color with white trim sets it apart from the darker red appearance of other historic bridges in the region.
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