The Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the oldest bridge in the county still in use. A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the Big Conestoga #2 Bridge. The bridge is also called Martin's Mill Bridge, Eberly's Cider Mill Covered Bridge, and Fiand's/Fiantz's Covered Bridge.
The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. Added later, secondary steel I-beams support the bridge from underneath.
The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-04. In 1980 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003516. It is located at (40.1405, -76.1520) near the junction of U.S. Route 222 and U.S. Route 322 southeast of Ephrata in West Earl Township. The bridge can be reached by going approximately south from U.S. Route 322 on Cabin Drive which becomes Conestoga Creek Road. A left onto Cider Mill Road leads straight to the bridge, which is visible from the intersection.
History
The bridge was built in 1846 by George Fink and Sam Reamsnyder at a cost of $1,115. They used a single span, wooden, double Burr arch truss construction. At some point later, steel I-beams were installed under the floor to add support to the oldest bridge in Lancaster County. The bridge has historically been referred to by a number of names that reflected the various mill owners.
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File:Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge First Approach 3000px.jpg|Looking north (2006)
File:Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge Damaged Side 2000px.jpg|West side (2006)
File:Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge First Side Inside 3264px.jpg|Inside of damaged west side (2006)
File:Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge Second Approach 3000px.jpg|Looking south (2006)
File:Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge Side 3008px.jpg|East side (2006)
File:Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge Second Side Inside 3264px.jpg|Inside of undamaged east side (2006)
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See also
- List of covered bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- List of covered bridges in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- List of crossings of the Conestoga River
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania