Pool Forge Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
Built in 1859 by Levi Fink, the Pool Forge Covered Bridge is a Burr truss structure spanning Conestoga Creek in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The bridge carries a township road just off T773, with a span end post length of 99 feet and a width of 15 feet. Its vertical plank siding reaches three-quarters of the way up the side walls, leaving an open window area beneath the eaves of its gabled roof. Vehicle traffic has been routed around the bridge, and it now carries only pedestrians. The property was nominated as part of a thematic group of covered bridges in Lancaster County, all built in the 19th century using timber-frame construction. Its inclusion reflects its representation of that building tradition in the county. Ownership is shared by Lancaster County and the two townships. The bridge was recorded in fair condition at the time of nomination.
Significance in brief: The form identifies it as one of the covered bridges of Lancaster County, a thematic group of 19th-century timber-frame bridges. It is described as in fair condition and as having been bypassed by traffic, now carrying only foot traffic. Its vertical plank siding rises three-quarters of the way up the side walls, leaving an open window area under the eaves of its gabled roof.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80003510, listed December 11, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence low).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Churchtown on T 773, Caernarvon Township, Churchtown |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | December 11, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003510 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Levi Fink (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Bypassed by vehicle traffic; carries only foot traffic; condition recorded as fair. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.14095, -75.99970 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80003510.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7228562
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.