The Oldest Covered Bridge In Virginia Has Been Around Since 1857

There's something alluring about covered bridges. Virginia is home to a handful of these remarkable structures, which have a way of taking us back in time to the days of yore. That's especially true of Humpback Covered Bridge in Covington, Virginia, which was originally built in 1857 and is consequently the oldest covered bridge in Virginia. Of course, the bridge has been repurposed several times since, yet it stands as a tribute to history. Here's more on why you'll want to visit this remarkable historic site in Virginia.

If ever you find yourself in the mountains of Virginia near Covington, there's a special and historic attraction that you'll want to visit: Humpback Bridge.

The history of Humpback Bridge, the oldest covered bridge in Virginia, is fascinating and impressive. Created in 1857, it's one of the few remaining bridges in the U.S. that is higher in the middle than on either end. This is what gives the bridge the nickname 'Humpback.'

Covered bridges were built after the realization that adding a roof to the wooden structures would help support the decking and therefore increase the longevity of the bridge.

While the bridge that stands today was built in 1857, there were actually three previous iterations of it. The first two, built in the 1820s and 1830s, were destroyed by a flood, and the last gave out due to heavy usage.

The builders of the third bridge, which remains today, decided that the bridge should be both covered and arched. Thanks to these innovations, Humpback Bridge has lasted over 160 years!

The covered bridge was in use until 1929 when another route was built to cross Dunlap Creek, which is a tributary of the Jackson River.

Today, visitors are invited to enjoy the historic bridge and the surrounding park property.

As always, be sure to leave the property as beautiful as you found it by picking up any trash and refraining from carving into the bridge or leaving graffiti of any kind.

What are your thoughts on Humpback Bridge in Covington? Have you visited the oldest covered bridge in Virginia? If so, we'd love to hear all about it! For more information, you can refer to the Virginia Department of Transportation's website. You might also enjoy reading about Virginia's famous swinging bridge that promises an adventure.