About Pine Valley Covered Bridge
Pine Valley Covered Bridge is one of Bucks County's oldest covered bridges, built in 1842 to span 81 feet across Tohickon Creek in Plumstead Township. This Burr Arch truss bridge has served the community for over 180 years, making it a remarkable example of 19th-century bridge building durability and craftsmanship.
The bridge takes its name from the pine forests that once covered the surrounding hills. Set in a peaceful rural valley, Pine Valley Bridge connects farmland on both sides of Tohickon Creek, continuing to serve the agricultural community much as it did when first constructed in the 1840s.
History
Pine Valley Covered Bridge was constructed in 1842, during a period of rapid expansion in Pennsylvania's road network. The bridge was built to serve the growing agricultural community of Plumstead Township, where German immigrant families had established prosperous farms along the fertile Tohickon Creek valley.
The 1840s were a transformative decade for Bucks County, with improved transportation infrastructure opening new markets for local farmers. The covered bridge provided reliable year-round access across Tohickon Creek, allowing farmers to transport grain, dairy products, and other goods to mills and markets regardless of weather conditions.
Throughout its long history, Pine Valley Bridge has witnessed the transformation of American agriculture from ox-drawn implements to modern machinery. The bridge has survived countless floods, ice jams, and storms, a testament to the quality of its original construction. Preservation efforts in recent decades have ensured the bridge remains structurally sound while retaining its authentic 19th-century character.
Architecture
Pine Valley Covered Bridge employs the Burr Arch truss design at an 81-foot span. As one of the earliest covered bridges built in Bucks County, it represents the construction techniques that were still evolving in the 1840s. The bridge demonstrates how builders were refining Theodore Burr's arch-truss combination to create stronger, more durable structures.
The exterior features vertical board siding painted in the traditional red color that has become iconic of Pennsylvania's rural landscape. The portal openings maintain their original dimensions, sized for the farm wagons and livestock that needed to cross when the bridge was new. The roof, now covered in modern metal, continues to protect the internal structure as it has for nearly two centuries.
Inside, the hand-hewn timbers and traditional joinery reveal the craftsmanship of mid-19th-century bridge builders. The Burr arch members, massive curved beams running along both sides of the roadway, demonstrate the engineering sophistication that allowed this bridge to span Tohickon Creek and endure for generations.
Visiting Pine Valley Covered Bridge
Pine Valley Covered Bridge is located in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, along Covered Bridge Road off Stump Road. The bridge is accessible via local roads approximately 8 miles west of Doylestown, the county seat.
Best Times to Visit: The Tohickon Creek valley is beautiful in all seasons. Spring brings rushing water and wildflowers. Summer offers lush vegetation and opportunities to wade in the creek. Autumn foliage creates spectacular colors that photograph beautifully with the red bridge. Winter snow can make the scene particularly picturesque.
Photo Tips: The bridge photographs well from both upstream and downstream along Tohickon Creek. The 81-foot length creates an impressive subject. Early morning light provides soft illumination and often creates mist rising from the creek. The surrounding farmland and forests offer landscape composition opportunities.
Nearby Attractions: Peace Valley Park offers hiking, fishing, and boating on Lake Galena. The Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown showcases historic tile-making techniques. Peddler's Village in Lahaska provides shopping, dining, and seasonal festivals.