Sam Wagner Covered Bridge

About Sam Wagner Covered Bridge

Sam Wagner Covered Bridge, also known as Gottlieb Brown Covered Bridge, is a historic 78-foot Burr Arch Truss bridge that spans the border between Northumberland County and Montour County. Built in 1881, the bridge crosses Chillisquaque Creek in a very scenic area of farmland near Interstate 80. It is the northernmost covered bridge in Northumberland County.

History of Sam Wagner Covered Bridge

The bridge was built in 1881 and has served both counties for over 140 years. It goes by two names: Sam Wagner Covered Bridge (after a local resident) and Gottlieb Brown Covered Bridge. The bridge remains open to vehicular traffic and is well-maintained by both Northumberland and Montour Counties. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 as part of the Covered Bridges of Northumberland County thematic resource.

Architecture and Design

Sam Wagner Covered Bridge uses the Burr Arch Truss design, the same design employed by the majority of Pennsylvania's covered bridges. The bridge spans 78 feet over Chillisquaque Creek. The same creek is also crossed by Rishel Covered Bridge to the south and Keefer Mills Covered Bridge in Montour County. The bridge's wooden construction and traditional design make it a classic example of 19th-century American bridge engineering.

Visiting Sam Wagner Covered Bridge

Despite its proximity to Interstate 80, getting to Sam Wagner Covered Bridge takes a bit of driving along some winding two-lane roads. The bridge is located near the small town of Potts Grove. There is a nice pull-off on the Northumberland County side of the bridge for parking. The Montour side features a few homes along the roadside, while the Northumberland side offers farmland views as far as the eye can see. From here, visitors can easily continue to other covered bridges in Northumberland County, the covered bridges in Columbia County, or the last remaining covered bridge entirely within Montour County.