Kurtz's Mill Covered Bridge - Lancaster, PA
N 40° 00.912 W 076° 16.940
18T E 390563 N 4430231
Washed out by Hurricane Agnes in 1972, this bridge no longer serves its original vehicular traffic spanning Conestoga Creek since it was moved, but now spans Mill Creek with vehicular traffic in Lancaster Central Park in West Lampeter Township.
Waymark Code: WMJ0FR
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 09/05/2013
Views: 10
According to the historical marker the bridge was originally located near Hinkletown which is an unincorporated town part of Earl Township within Lancaster County, PA. I scanned the area using GoogleEarth and found the snake-like Conestoga River and a few likely places where the bridge was originally located. I could find nowhere or the internet information about the original location until I changed my search query and used Earl Township, PA Kurtz's Mill Covered Bridge whereby I stumbled upon a SITE documenting past and present bridges. I was provided with additional clues: At the old site, a 101' long three arch stone culvert was built by A. Genovese, Incorporated for $118,000.00 in 1973. Using GoogleEarth, I determined the only place the bridge could have been located which fits all descriptions and clues with its original location @ N 40° 8.992 W 76° 8.516. One can see using satellite imagery where the bridge was in 1972. As indicated, the bridge traveled approximately 19.9 miles (sources indicate it was an approximation of 20 miles). Linearly speaking, the bridge moved 11.90 miles southwest, 218°.
The bridge was built in 1876 by W. W. Upp over the Conestoga River. In 1972, it was damaged by the floodwaters caused by Hurricane Agnes on June 23, 1972 before the storm moved north, looping across southern Ontario on June 25, 1972. The birdge was repaired by David Esh in 1975 and moved to its present location in the Lancaster County Park over Mill Creek, a tributary of the Conestoga River.
That flood in the early 70's picked up the bridge and moved it down stream. Once they collected all the pieces and parts, it was moved a total of 15 miles away where it still sits today. They installed new abutments and the rest was added. This is probably why this is the only bridge not on the NRHP even though it was built in the 1800s. The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-03.
The bridge is a typical example of a Lancaster truss bridges, like the other covered spans. Its length is 90 feet and it is entirely made of wood, oak for the floor planks.
Located at this site is an historical marker which reads
COUNTY PARK COVERED BRIDGE
Originally Built 1876 and Spanned the Conestoga
Creek Near Hinkletown Damaged in June 22, 1972
Flood and Relocated to This Site in 1974. Rebuilt
And Opened for Public Use 1975.
Below this is a list of names like commissioners, engineers and stiff like that who used the public monies to pay for the extra dough it cost to inscribe their name in this marker.
On page 110 in Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges By Fred J. Moll there is a nice picture of the bridge being moved on a trailer. From the book: Kurtz's Mill Bridge was repaired, loaded on a flatbed trailer, and hauled 20 miles away to Lancaster's Central Park in West Lampeter Township. David Esh reconstructed the bridge in the park over Mill Creek in 1974. The total cost of the reconstruction and relocation was about $75,000. The covered bridge now serves park traffic. SOURCE