Trusal Covered Bridge

About Trusal Covered Bridge

Trusal Covered Bridge, also known as Dice's Bridge, is Indiana County's oldest covered bridge, built in 1870. At just 35 feet long, it is also the shortest covered bridge in the county and one of the shortest in Pennsylvania, crossing the South Branch of Plum Creek in a beautiful rural setting.

History of Trusal Covered Bridge

Trusal Covered Bridge was built in 1870, making it the oldest of Indiana County's four remaining covered bridges. The builder is unknown, which is common for many rural covered bridges of this era. The bridge was named after Robert Trusal, a nearby property owner and Civil War veteran who owned surrounding land when the bridge was built. It is also known as Dice's Covered Bridge after Thomas Dice, another local resident. The bridge was bypassed by a modern bridge in 1990 but remains open to foot traffic. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Architecture and Design

The bridge utilizes a Town Lattice truss design. Its most distinctive feature is the trapezoid shape created by slanted entrances rather than the typical straight vertical sides found on most covered bridges. At just 35 feet in length, it is one of the shortest covered bridges in all of Pennsylvania. This unique appearance makes it a favorite among covered bridge enthusiasts and photographers. The bridge is located in beautifully maintained parkland managed by Indiana County Parks.

Visiting Trusal Covered Bridge

Trusal Covered Bridge is located about 20 minutes north of downtown Indiana, Pennsylvania, in a rural, bucolic farm setting. It is located just downstream from its companion bridge, Harmon Covered Bridge—in fact, you can see one bridge from the other, making this the only pair of covered bridges visible from each other in Pennsylvania. There is space to pull off to the side of the road near the bridge. The picturesque farmland setting makes this an excellent location for engagement and family photographs, and the maintained parkland provides a pleasant atmosphere for visitors.