Harmon Covered Bridge

About Harmon Covered Bridge

Harmon Covered Bridge is Indiana County's youngest covered bridge, built in 1910. Named after Civil War veteran J.S. Harmon, this 45-foot Town Lattice truss bridge crosses the South Branch of Plum Creek and features a distinctive trapezoid shape matching its companion Trusal Bridge just downstream.

History of Harmon Covered Bridge

Harmon Covered Bridge was built in July 1910 by John R. Carnahan at a cost of just $525, with construction completed in only 30 days after the abutments were in place. The bridge was designed by Thomas Pealer, Indiana County Engineer. It was named after J.S. Harmon, a local farmer and Civil War veteran who had survived imprisonment at the infamous Confederate POW camp at Andersonville, Georgia, before returning to the area. The bridge was bypassed by a new highway bridge constructed upstream in 1984 but remains open to foot traffic. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Management of the covered bridges was transferred to Indiana County Parks & Trails in May 2007.

Architecture and Design

The bridge utilizes a Town Lattice truss design, also known as Town's Lattice Truss, patented in 1820 by architect Ithiel Town. Like its companion Trusal Bridge downstream, Harmon Covered Bridge features slanted entrances that give it a distinctive trapezoid appearance from the side—a relatively rare design feature. At 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, it is slightly longer than Trusal Bridge. Indiana County has three Town Lattice truss covered bridges, an unusual concentration considering there are only eighteen remaining in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Visiting Harmon Covered Bridge

Harmon Covered Bridge is located on Donahue Road, just upstream from Trusal Covered Bridge, about 25 minutes north of Indiana, PA. Remarkably, you can see Trusal Covered Bridge from Harmon—the only two covered bridges in Pennsylvania visible from each other. The bridge is located in a lovely farm setting that makes it perfect for photography, particularly for engagement and family photos. A guest book inside the bridge allows visitors to record their visits. There is room to pull off alongside the road, and the bridge is located on well-maintained parkland managed by Indiana County Parks.