Covered bridges harken back to a simpler time in America, when horse-drawn carriages were the primary method of transportation. The majority of our covered bridges were constructed somewhere between the 1820s and the 1870s, with the first known bridge constructed in 1805 in Philadelphia. At its peak, most bridges were covered at the time they were built. With 213 bridges, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the most covered bridges in America, followed by the state of Ohio, a distant second with 148 bridges.
“Why build a cover over the bridges?” Since most of the covered bridges were built primarily from wood, the cover was needed to protect the bridge’s structure and its decking from the elements, and to also prevent decay and wood rot.
With 23 covered bridges in Columbia County and on the Columbia-Northumberland County border, our area has the third biggest concentration of covered bridges in Pennsylvania. The Inn, Farmhouse, and Brewing Co. at Turkey Hill in Bloomsburg makes a perfect central location to tour of these Columbia County Bridges and the several in adjacent Montour County as well. To plan your driving tour, the best guide is Covered Bridges of Columbia and Montour Counties Pennsylvania, a downloadable brochure with two suggested tour routes (half the covered bridges on each tour). The brochure includes information about each of the 25 total bridges in both counties, photos, detailed instructions, and maps.
In recognition of our area’s abundance of these unique structures, each year the Columbia & Montour Counties Visitor’s Bureau holds a photo contest from which the winning photo will be featured in a 500-piece limited edition puzzle. The year 2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the Photo Contest, and this year’s contest and puzzle will feature as a subject the Twin Covered Bridges (East & West Paden bridges in Columbia County. The Visitors Bureau’s 2020 Covered Bridge Photo Contest will accept submissions from April 1 – June 1, 2020.
How to Enter:
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Email your photos to skiefer@cmvb.com within the dates above. MUST INCLUDE photographer’s name in the photo’s title.
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OR post your photo on Instagram using #CMVBPuzzle2020. MUST INCLUDE: Photographer’s name. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted for a high-quality version of your Instagram submission.
Please click here to read complete information and rules and regulations.
The staff of the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau will select the winning photo to be featured on the 10th anniversary 2020 Covered Bridge Puzzle. The puzzle is released in September and sold at the Bloomsburg Fair*, the Covered Bridge & Arts Festival*, and at the CMVB Welcome Center. Each puzzle is a limited edition item, as only 250 puzzles are produced each year. *Dates for these events may be modified due to COVID-19, so please check prior to making plans.
A Note from Your Host:
As the situation around novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we are doing everything we can to ensure your health and safety and provide maximum flexibility. Our hotel is currently open and honoring all existing reservations. It is our intent to remain open unless directed otherwise by local, state, or federal authorities. The Farmhouse restaurant and Turkey Hill Brewing Co. are closed at this time. Your well-being is, as it has always been, our highest priority. We take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. We want to assure you that we are doing our utmost to make your stay safe and healthy.
Please do not hesitate to contact us directly at 570-387-1500.
