Keefer Station Covered Bridge

About Keefer Station Covered Bridge

Keefer Station Covered Bridge is a historic 109-foot Burr Arch Truss bridge located just a few miles outside of Sunbury, south of the Main Branch of the Susquehanna River. Built in 1888, the bridge crosses Shamokin Creek and is surrounded by beautiful farmland. The bridge was recently refurbished and remains open to vehicular traffic.

History of Keefer Station Covered Bridge

Built in 1888, Keefer Station Covered Bridge has served the community for well over a century. The bridge takes its name from a nearby railroad station. Along with Rishel Covered Bridge, it was damaged during flooding from Tropical Storm Lee in September 2011 and subsequently rehabilitated using FEMA and county funds. The rehabilitation included in-depth inspection, timber repairs and replacements, decking and siding work, and concrete abutment repairs. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Architecture and Design

Keefer Station Covered Bridge employs the Burr Arch Truss design, which was developed by Theodore Burr in 1804 and is the most common truss style found in Pennsylvania covered bridges. The bridge spans 109 feet over Shamokin Creek, making it the second-longest covered bridge in Northumberland County after Rishel Bridge. The engineering design calls for a 91-foot-6-inch main span with traditional Burr arch construction.

Visiting Keefer Station Covered Bridge

The bridge is located about 4 miles west of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, in Upper Augusta Township. The surrounding area is beautiful farmland, though visitors may pass a small car junkyard depending on their approach route. However, its distance from the bridge means it doesn't detract from the bridge itself. There are several places to pull off near the bridge for parking, making it easy to stop and photograph this historic structure.