Buttonwood Covered Bridge

About Buttonwood Covered Bridge

Buttonwood Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge located along Route 15 in northern Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, just a few miles south of Tioga County. Built in 1898, this approximately 70-foot bridge (sources cite between 63-74 feet) crosses Blockhouse Creek using Burr Arch Truss construction. The bridge was refurbished in 1998 and remains open to vehicular traffic.

History of Buttonwood Covered Bridge

Buttonwood Covered Bridge was likely constructed in 1898, though some sources suggest an earlier date. It is the youngest of the three covered bridges in Lycoming County. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1980, as part of a thematic submission covering the Covered Bridges of Bradford, Sullivan and Lycoming Counties. The bridge underwent significant refurbishment in 1998 to preserve its structural integrity for continued use.

Architecture and Design

Buttonwood Covered Bridge measures approximately 70 feet in length and features the Burr Arch Truss design common throughout Pennsylvania. This truss style, patented by Theodore Burr in 1817, combines a multiple kingpost truss with a load-bearing arch for enhanced strength. The bridge's location next to a sawmill and Route 15 gives the area an industrial character, though the bridge itself remains quite striking.

Visiting Buttonwood Covered Bridge

The bridge can be seen from Route 15 North, but there is no direct access from the highway. Take the exit south of the bridge onto Route 284 and the bridge is located about a mile off the road. Parking may be available at the nearby sawmill when closed, but otherwise spaces are limited. The bridge is about a mile south of Tioga County and makes a convenient stop for those traveling through the Pennsylvania Wilds region.