Staats Mill Covered Bridge

Staats Mill Covered Bridge is a wooden bridge that crosses the Tug Fork of Big Mill Creek using a series of wooden panels held together with diagonal cross-bracing. The structure displays the typical construction style of 19th-century American covered bridges with its exposed timber framework.

The bridge was built in 1887 near Ripley and named after Enoch Staats' water-powered mill in the area. It was later moved to the FFA-FHA State Camp at Cedar Lakes, where it has been preserved for public use.

The structure represents nineteenth-century American engineering through its Long truss system, patented in 1830, which became a standard in bridge construction.

The bridge is located at the FFA-FHA State Camp at Cedar Lakes and can be accessed on foot year-round. Visitors should plan a short walk to reach it from the main camp area and enjoy views of the surrounding forest and water.

The bridge employs the Long truss system, a 19th-century engineering design that provided strength and durability without requiring additional support columns underneath. This approach allowed builders to span long distances using straightforward materials and techniques.

Location: Jackson County

Inception: 1888

GPS coordinates: 38.79440,-81.68720

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42