About
Pine Bank Covered Bridge crosses a ravine at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village near Avella, in Jefferson Township. The bridge is privately owned and open to pedestrians only, and admission is charged to enter the village. It is the only covered bridge in Washington County that did not originate in the county. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 22, 1979.
History
The bridge originally crossed Toms Run in Gilmore Township, Greene County. Wikipedia and the county driving tour book date it to 1871; coveredbridges.net gives 1870. In 1962 it was moved to Meadowcroft, a recreated 19th century village, at the request of Meadowcroft founder Albert Miller. According to the county tour book, a 2016 restoration repaired the kingpost truss and returned the bridge to its original appearance.
Design
Pine Bank is a kingpost truss. The county tour book gives a length of 43 feet 5 inches and a width of 14 feet 4 inches; coveredbridges.net lists 30 feet 6 inches by 15 feet. It is unpainted oak with vertical board and batten siding, a standing seam metal roof and no windows. It rests on dry laid stone abutments with large cut stone slabs at each end, and its portal design differs from the other Washington County bridges. Interior framing shows old advertisements, including one reading "Ask for Dilles Liniment."
Visiting
The bridge is several hundred yards from the Meadowcroft visitors center and cannot be seen from the parking lot. Check Meadowcroft's current season and hours before visiting.
Sources: Pine Bank Covered Bridge, Wikipedia, Pine Bank Covered Bridge, coveredbridges.net, Washington County Covered Bridges Driving Tour book, Visit Washington County PA
Photo: Jerrye and Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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