The Oldest Covered Bridge In North Carolina Has Been Around Since 1895

Old-fashioned covered bridges from a bygone era are hard to come by in the Tar Heel State. In fact, only two such bridges have survived the test of time in North Carolina! The older of the two, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, is a true Tar Heel State treasure. Not only is it listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it's also one of only three National Civil Engineering Landmarks in the state (accompanied by the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cape Hatteras Light). Learn more about the oldest covered bridge in North Carolina, and then make a plan to see this beauty for yourself!

With only two covered bridges in North Carolina, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is kind of a big deal. But pomp and circumstance of this esteemed landmark aside, it's also a very cool sight to visit.

Found within Connor Park located a mere 15 miles east of Hickory, Bunker Hill Covered Bridge belongs on every North Carolinian's bucket list. (And seeing that there are only two covered bridges in the state, you should make a point of visiting them both!)

The bridge first opened in 1895, after its builder, Andrew Ramsour, found the Haupt Truss design while flipping through the pages of a book.

For the first five years, the bridge at Bunker Hill was an open span. But, fearing the effect the elements would have on the natural decay of the wood used in the construction, the bridge was covered with a 91-foot shingle roof in 1900. Later, in 1921, the shingle roof was replaced by metal.

This was a great move, as the bridge still stands today in all its (mainly original) glory!

In 1994, the bridge saw some major renovations soon after it was donated to the Catawba County Historical Association. Then, once again in 2019, Bunker Hill underwent some extensive repairs. It opened to the public again in February 2020.

Any visit to the bridge is a welcome step back in time. A short walk from the parking area leads to the bridge and past the Tater House, which also received a new paint job during the restorations.

Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is open for visits during daylight hours. Admission is free. To get there, take NC-70 east out of Claremont until you get to Connor Park.

Are you excited to make the visit to see the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge? The other remaining covered bridge in the Tar Heel State isn't the oldest, but at 140 feet in length, it's the longest. Keep reading to learn more about why you should also visit Pisgah Covered Bridge in North Carolina!