One small town in Western Pennsylvania suffered a tragic past, eventually becoming little more than a page of Pennsylvania's history. Interestingly, most people have no idea this underwater city near Pittsburgh ever existed.
Once sat long the Conemaugh River, the small town of Livermore in Derry Township was founded in 1827 by John Livermore.
Tragedy, however, struck on March 17, 1936. What's now known as the St. Patrick's Day flood left Livermore under 18 feet of water, causing an estimated $500 million in damages and claiming one life.
The Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938 would eventually lead to the razing of the town of Livermore - including moving the graves in the local cemetery to another location - to allow for the construction of the Conemaugh Dam.
Completed in 1952, the dam protects flooding of numerous areas, including the Allegheny River Valley and the Conemaugh Valley. The overflow of water is stored, avoiding floods, until it is safe to release it.
Some, however, still flock to the area where Livermore once sat in search of the ghosts. Local lure tells of the spirits of the deceased of Livermore remaining at the site of their former homes.
This underwater city near Pittsburgh, although long gone, has become a page in Pennsylvania's history. But, it isn't the only sunken city in Pennsylvania. Click here to read more.
Enchanting pieces of the past, like covered bridges, dot the Pennsylvania landscape. We’re quite fortunate to have more than 200 covered bridges in Pennsylvania, although that number has dipped from 1,500 over the years. While Lancaster County boasts the most covered bridges, Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas also have quite a few covered bridges, including the Herline Covered Bridge near Pittsburgh.
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To reach the longest covered bridge in Pennsylvania, we’d have to journey more than three hours to the town of Port Royal, the home of the Pomeroy Academia Covered Bridge (pictured below).
Did you know that Herline Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge near Pittsburgh? It's worthy of a spot on your bucket list, don't you think? We can't think of a better way to experience a piece of Pennsylvania's storied history than with a visit to its many covered bridges.
The picturesque covered bridge spans an impressive 278 feet. However, one of the other longest bridges in the state doesn’t take quite as long to reach.
Herline Covered Bridge in Bedford County, just under two hours from downtown Pittsburgh, is just one of 14 covered bridges in the county. If you’re driving to see Herline Covered Bridge, consider touring some or all of them.
While you're in the charming town of Bedford, Pennsylvania, consider touring a bit. The town is well-known for its rich history, including Jean-Bonnet Tavern. It's said to be one of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania.
Built in 1902 in a Burr Truss-style, the covered bridge measures 136 feet long and nine feet wide. The covered bridge underwent renovations in the 1990s, which means today vehicles can still travel over it.
Don't forget your camera. While you won't need a ton of time to visit this covered bridge near Pittsburgh, you will be treated to plenty of photo-worthy moments.
If you’ve got a few extra hours in your day, set off on a self-guided tour on the Bedford County Visitors Bureau’s Covered Bridge Driving Tour. It will take you to nine of the area’s 14 bridges.
If you've been looking for covered bridges near me, you've just found some of the best. While the self-guided tour is picture-perfect any time of the year, make an effort to drive it during the fall, too, when the foliage is at its peak.
The tour spans 40 miles, and the visitor’s bureau recommends allotting at least 90 minutes for your journey. However, it may take longer, depending on how long you spend at each bridge and if you make other stops along the way.
Check out this video of Herline Covered Bridge, courtesy of Pennsylvania Covered Bridges on YouTube. You can view more videos of covered bridges in Pennsylvania on this YouTube channel, too.
If you've been wondering, "Are there any covered bridges near me," now you have the answer! Have you ever visited the Herline Covered Bridge near Pittsburgh? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! If you’re a fan of covered bridges, plan a visit to Erskine Covered Bridge, in West Alexander, the oldest covered bridge near Pittsburgh.
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Pack your camera, too, when you visit these Pennsylvania covered bridges.
Covered bridges in Pennsylvania hearken back to a simpler time. While the number of Pennsylvania covered bridges has dwindled to a little more than 200, there are still plenty of opportunities to experience these storied pieces of Pennsylvania's past. If you've been wondering, "Are there covered bridges near me," you're about to discover six of them, all in Western Pennsylvania and each within a fairly easy driving distance from Pittsburgh. All you need is a morning or an afternoon to see them all.
Our journey today will take us nearly 75 miles in just over two hours. The covered bridges in the day trip all sit in Washington County and are within easy driving distance of each other. You can complete this day trip near Pittsburgh in half a day or, if you feel like taking your time, make an entire day of it.
Our first stop takes us to Brownlee Covered Bridge, formerly known as the Brownlee-Scott Covered Bridge. The bridge dates back to the 1860s. For the majority of its history, the covered bridge near Pittsburgh sat in East Finley Township. However, it was moved to McGuffey Community Park, in Claysville, in 2008. Learn more on the official Facebook page of McGuffey Community Park.
Stroll across the Wyit Sprowls Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania, a pedestrian-only bridge. The bridge, which spans 43 feet, features six windows instead of the traditional four and dates back to the early 19th century. After sustaining significant damage, the covered bridge was relocated to its current spot in 2002. Learn more on the official website of Visit Washington County PA.
We're now headed to Hughes Covered Bridge, built in 1889. The pedestrian-only covered bridge was, at one point, set to be relocated to Mingo Creek County Park. However, after a legal wrangling, the bridge was able to remain at its current location in Amity.
Experience Ebenezer Covered Bridge as both a pedestrian and as a driver. No one knows when the covered bridge was first built. However, it relocated to its current spot in Nottingham Township in 1977. Notice that the design resembles that of a train caboose, one of the numerous updates made to the covered bridge. A meandering path leads to two covered bridges in Pennsylvania (Ebenezer and Henry). Read more about this covered bridge hike in Pennsylvania in our previous article.
Drive or stroll across Henry Covered Bridge, which was built in 1881. The picturesque covered bridge spans 36 feet and crosses over Mingo Creek. It, as well as the other covered bridges on our day trip, participates in the annual Washington and Greene Counties Covered Bridge Festival, held the third weekend of September. Visit the official website of Mingo Creek County Park for more information.
Our final stop of the day takes us to Krepps Covered Bridge. No one knows when the covered bridge was built. However, it was moved from its original location in the mid-1950s (the exact year is not known). The bridge allows both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Take a tour of Ebenezer Covered Bridge, courtesy of Pennsylvania Covered Bridges on YouTube. You can also view dozens of other videos of covered bridges in Pennsylvania on this YouTube channel.
If you've wondered, "Are there covered bridges near me," now you know the answer! What are your favorite covered bridges in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments! Have you ever visited Erskine Covered Bridge? It's the oldest covered bridge near Pittsburgh and is definitely a must-visit.
