These 12 Beautiful Covered Bridges In Kentucky Will Remind You Of A Simpler Time
We don’t see a lot of covered bridges in Kentucky anymore, but they do still exist. A bridge can be a lot more than just a way to get to the other side. These bridges come with stories that reflect unique, yet simpler times in our state’s history.
Unfortunately, many of these traditional structures have been destroyed over the years, but we have a few Kentucky covered bridges that have been preserved.
Here are 12 covered bridges in Kentucky to remind us of simpler times when bridges had charm and style:
Starting off this list of covered bridges in Kentucky is Cabin Creek Cove Covered Bridge. On the northwestern part of Lewis County, the Cabin Creek Bridge/Rectorville Bridge stands near KY 984. It is a 114-foot single-span Burr truss built in 1867. It was closed from 1983 to May 2014 but has since been reopened.
The Bennetts Mill Bridge was built over Tygarts Creek in 1855 in the northern part of Greenup County. It is a Wheeler Truss bridge off KY 7, around eight miles south of South Shore. It is the only preserved example of its kind in the state making it one of the most important historic places in Kentucky.
Also known as the Grange City Bridge, it connects Hillsboro and Grange City across Fox Creek in Fleming Counties' southeastern side. The bridge is an 86-foot-long double post and brace design from 1865.
This bridge allows Colville Road to cross Hinkston Creek in Bourbon County. The location is close to Ruddell's Mills and it is a double post and brace design. The bridge was damaged in 1997 but has since been repaired and restored to its original 124-foot span.
KY 3113 crosses Lees Creek via the Dover Bridge in Mason Counties' northwest side. It was built in 1835, is around 61 feet long, and is one of the oldest preserved covered bridges in Kentucky. The double set of queen-post trusses on each side is the original design, but iron beams were installed later for support due to weight limitations.
This bridge across Johnson Creek lies north of Blue Licks State Park on what was once a crossing for KY 1029. The 1874 Smith truss-designed bridge sits in southern Robertson County and is 131 feet long. Preservation has deemed the bridge to no longer be used for passenger vehicles.
At southern Greenup County in Oldtown, this 1880s double post and brace bridge crosses over the Little Sandy River. It is 187 feet long and remains preserved as one of the historic places in Kentucky of that time.
Fleming County is home to the Goddard/White Bridge which crosses Sand Lick Creek. This 90-foot lattice truss bridge is the last of its kind of covered bridge in Kentucky. The original build date is guestimated around 1880 but is not known for sure.
This 74-foot king and queen post-truss-designed bridge is now a preserved historic site that cannot be used. Initially, it carried what is now known as KY 1159 over Locust Creek.
This bridge crosses over North Elkhorn Creek in Switzer. It was initially built as a 120-foot Howe truss design in 1855 but was knocked off its foundation in 1997 and rebuilt close to the original design with a few modern engineering improvements.
This double-posted 81-foot-long bridge was built in 1867 to cross Fox Creek near Ringos Mills in Fleming County. It originally carried the section of what is now KY 158 across the creek.
The last on our list of covered bridges in Kentucky is Beech Fork Covered Bridge. This two-span Burr truss bridge is 102 feet long, and was the longest-standing covered bridge in Kentucky. It crosses over the Beech Fork River on Washington Counties' northwest side just off KY 458 n or Mooresville. It is no longer used, but the structure has been preserved for history. Some refer to it as the Mt. Zion Bridge. Unfortunately, this historic bridge burned down in 2021.
If only we could hear the stories these rustic, covered bridges in Kentucky have to tell, we’d probably be entertained for weeks. These are the oldest still-standing bridges that we are aware of, but we’re hoping there are still more historic covered bridges to be found.
What is your favorite covered bridge in the Bluegrass State? Are there any covered bridges near you? Let us know in the comments.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Covered Bridges In Kentucky
November 01, 2021
Melissa M.
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I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
