Davis Covered Bridge

About Davis Covered Bridge

Davis Covered Bridge, constructed in 1875, is a well-preserved 95-foot span crossing the North Branch of Roaring Creek in Cleveland Township. This Burr Arch truss bridge represents the post-Civil War era of covered bridge construction in Columbia County when Pennsylvania was rebuilding and expanding its infrastructure. The bridge was named after a farmer who lived nearby and began making repairs to the structure in the late 1800s, a testament to the community involvement that has preserved many of Columbia County's covered bridges. Located south of Catawissa off Route 42, Davis Bridge serves as one of several historic covered bridges along the scenic Roaring Creek valley.

History

Built in 1875 by Daniel Kostenbauder at a cost of $1,248, Davis Covered Bridge was originally known by other names before a local farmer named Davis, who lived on a nearby farm, began making repairs to the bridge in the late 1800s. His maintenance work gave the bridge its current name, demonstrating how covered bridges often became associated with the families who cared for them. The bridge served vehicle traffic for well over a century, connecting rural farming communities and facilitating agricultural commerce along Roaring Creek. The structure survived Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, though it sustained damage and required temporary closure for repairs. This event demonstrated both the vulnerability of historic covered bridges to extreme weather and the community's commitment to restoring them. The bridge has been carefully maintained by Columbia County authorities and continues serving local traffic today.

Architecture

The 95-foot bridge employs a Burr Arch truss design combining Theodore Burr's patented arch system with kingpost trusses. The structure features traditional red weatherboard siding protecting hand-hewn timber structural members. White-painted portals follow Pennsylvania covered bridge aesthetic conventions. The Burr Arch design was particularly well-suited for spanning creeks like the North Branch of Roaring Creek, providing both strength and durability. Interior construction reveals careful 1870s craftsmanship with mortise-and-tenon joinery secured by wooden pegs. The bridge's preservation demonstrates the effectiveness of regular maintenance in extending covered bridge lifespan beyond a century.

Visiting

Davis Covered Bridge is located on Shakespeare Road off Route 42, south of Catawissa and west of Queen City in Cleveland Township. The bridge continues to carry vehicle traffic and provides an authentic covered bridge crossing experience. The North Branch of Roaring Creek offers scenic beauty in a rural agricultural setting. The area features typical Columbia County countryside with working farms and wooded creek valleys. Photography opportunities are good, particularly during spring when the creek flows high or autumn when surrounding trees display fall colors. The bridge can be combined with visits to nearby Parr's Mill Bridge and other covered bridges along the Roaring Creek valley. Best visited April through October when weather and road conditions are optimal.