Quintessential Pennsylvania

Jacks Mountain Covered Bridge - officially known as the G. Donald McLaughlin Memorial Covered Bridge - is the only Adams County covered bridge open for traffic.  The bridge, a burr truss design built in 1890, crosses Tom's Creek.   Only one direction of traffic can cross the bridge at a time - and the crossing is controlled by a set of traffic lights on each side.  The late G. Donald McLaughlin led efforts to restore the bridge that was designed by Joseph Smith.  The bridge was named in his honor in 1998.  Prior to that, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Further Reading: Jacks Mountain Covered Bridge @ CoveredBridges.net How To Get There:

When you explore the back roads around Gettysburg, you'll most likely find some great things.  Just behind the Eisenhower Farm on Red Rock Road - and not that long of a stroll from Sachs Covered Bridge - is an 1886 iron truss bridge named after Dwight Eisenhower's son, John.  John Eisenhower was an officer in the United States Army, served as the US Ambassador to Belgium, and was a military historian. The John Eisenhower Bridge crosses Willoughby Run, and its use is limited to bicycles and pedestrians.  The 84-foot-long bridge was designed and constructed by Gibert & Smith.  It is a Pratt-through truss design.  Flood waters severely damaged the bridge in 1996.  Two years later, the bridge was completely restored.  In 2012, Adams County completed a project  fully refurbishing the bridge deck. Willoughby Run Like the nearby Sachs Covered Bridge, the Eisenhower Bridge is considered haunted.  It is known locally as the " Suicide Bridge ;" gho...

Quite possibly the most historic covered bridge - or bridge - in the State of Pennsylvania, the Sachs Covered Bridge sits just outside the Town and Battle of Gettysburg. Constructed in 1852, the Sachs Covered Bridge saw both Union and Confederate troops utilize the bridge to cross Marsh Creek during the days leading up to and after the battle.  The 100-foot town lattice bridge was closed to vehicles in 1968. Sachs Covered Bridge In 1938, the Pennsylvania Department of Highways named the bridge the state's "most historic ."  Located South of the battlefields, the bridge was a key crossing for Robert E. Lee's retreating Confederate Army. Detail of the town lattice design . While the highway folks believe it is the state's "most historic" bridge, many others consider it the state's "most haunted." Over the years, there have been many alleged ghost sightings here.  Allegedly three Confederate men were hung from the bridge's rafters.  The th...

FAIRFIELD - Founded 1784 .  Adams County town of about 500 residents named after Fairfield, England.  The town hosts an annual fall festival called 'Pippinfest' which is held over the last full weekend in September.   During the Gettysburg Campaign - a small cavalry battle occurred here . The Confederate victory ensured a safe route of retreat for Robert E. Lee along Hagerstown Road. How To Get There: