Harrington Covered Bridge

About Harrington Covered Bridge

Harrington Covered Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge spanning the West Branch of Conneaut Creek in Conneaut Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Built around 1870, this 72-foot Multiple Kingpost Truss bridge is one of only two remaining covered bridges in Erie County and one of just three historic covered bridges in Pennsylvania's entire Great Lakes Region. The bridge carries Barney Road (State Route 3003) and remains open to vehicle traffic, serving the rural community of western Erie County.

History of Harrington Covered Bridge

The Harrington Covered Bridge was designed and built around 1870 by William Sherman, a prolific local bridge builder who also constructed the Gudgeonville and Carman covered bridges that were located nearby. Tragically, both of Sherman's other bridges were lost to arson—Carman in 1996 and Gudgeonville in 2008—making Harrington the sole surviving example of Sherman's craftsmanship. The bridge underwent significant rebuilding in 1962 to ensure its continued use. Like Sherman's other bridges, Harrington is clad in unpainted, vertical wooden plank siding, giving it a rustic, weathered appearance that reflects its 19th-century origins. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 1980, as part of the Covered Bridges of Erie County Thematic Resources nomination.

Architecture and Design

Harrington Covered Bridge features a single-span Multiple Kingpost Truss design, measuring 72 feet in length. The Multiple Kingpost Truss is a traditional design that extends the basic kingpost concept to span longer distances through the use of multiple vertical posts and diagonal braces. The bridge's unpainted exterior of vertical wooden planks presents an authentic appearance that has characterized the structure throughout its existence. The 1962 rebuilding maintained the bridge's historic character while ensuring structural integrity for continued use. The bridge's design represents the practical engineering solutions employed by 19th-century builders in rural Pennsylvania.

Visiting Harrington Covered Bridge

Harrington Covered Bridge is located in Conneaut Township in western Erie County, a few miles south of Route 6N and west of Route 18. The bridge sits along a rural road with several nearby houses that own the surrounding land. Much of this land is posted and features thick underbrush, making it difficult to obtain side views of the bridge. There are no designated parking areas, and the road shoulders near the bridge are narrow—visitors should use caution and flashers if leaving a vehicle unattended. The bridge is approximately 45 minutes from Waterford Covered Bridge on the opposite side of the county. Nearby attractions include Presque Isle State Park, the Erie Maritime Museum, and the wineries of Erie County.