Knoebel, Lawrence L., Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
A modified queenpost truss covered bridge built in 1875, first over West Creek near Benton, Pennsylvania. When road re-location bypassed it in 1936, it was sold to Knoebel's Grove, where it was taken apart and reassembled after timbers were moved about fifty miles. Five men spent a week dismantling it and another week rebuilding it. Wide boards were milled specially for the work, and the bridge is kept unpainted, with repairs using wooden shingles and matching original construction. The underside has been treated against insects and dampness. It is listed as one of seven surviving covered bridges in Northumberland County that show 19th-century wooden bridge technology and its part in developing local transportation routes. The bridge was dedicated in 1964 by the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, which honored the Knoebel family for its preservation, and it was named for Lawrence L. Knoebel.
Significance in brief: The nomination treats the bridge as one of seven surviving covered bridges in Northumberland County that illustrate 19th-century wooden bridge technology and its role in developing transportation networks. It is also noted for its careful relocation and rebuilding, with repairs kept in harmony with the original structure.
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 79002309, listed August 8, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Knoebel's Grove, Ralpho Township, Knoebel's Grove |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | August 8, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002309 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Modified queenpost truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition recorded as good; bridge rebuilt at Knoebel's Grove after relocation and dedicated in 1964. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.87724, -76.50547 (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 79002309.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6504290
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.