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Saturday, October 12

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As we were driving away from the craft show on Saturday, the lighting on the water under the covered bridge caught my attention.

This is located just across the driveway from the Farm Show Exhibit Hall where the vendors were located (see previous post).

We were early for our next stop, so Cerwin kindly stopped so I could get a few pictures. The ducks even posed for me.

I didn’t know much about this bridge without looking up its history. I do know it is a walking bridge and I remember when it was moved here.

This is what I learned when googling its history.

Shearer’s Covered Bridge

Shearer’s Covered Bridge is located in Manheim, directly next to Manheim Central High School.

This bridge was originally built in 1847, though it had to be rebuilt in 1855. The bridge stayed in its original location until 1971 when it was moved to Manheim Memorial Park to ensure its preservation.

Prior to this move, it was located on Colebrook Road, roughly a mile south of Sporting Hill and four miles from where it currently stands.

Today, Shearer’s Covered Bridge crosses 86 feet over Big Chiques Creek. It is the furthest upstream of the five covered bridges that cross this waterway. While cars are no longer allowed on the bridge, pedestrians can use the bridge to cross to a portion of Manheim Memorial Park.

Interestingly, while all Lancaster County covered bridges are painted red, this is the only bridge that features a red interior and red approaches, giving it a bit of a unique look.