Gross Bridge
Also known as: Beaver Springs Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning Middle Creek near Beavertown in Snyder County, this 100-foot single-span covered bridge is a Burr arch structure built of timber and resting on masonry abutments. Its red painted wood siding and shingle roof shelter a gravel and timber deck that carries a light-duty gravel road serving local farms. The bridge dates to about 1878. It is considered a typical example of the small timber bridges that were built throughout the county in the second half of the nineteenth century. Simple timber construction let neighboring farmers maintain it themselves. Of the three covered timber bridges still actively maintained in Snyder County, it has kept the most of its original character. Its rural setting has changed little, and it remains in excellent, unaltered condition compared with the other two, which carry a heavier asphalt highway and a busy state road.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the bridge as a typical example of the small timber bridges built across the county in the second half of the nineteenth century. It is one of only three covered timber bridges still actively maintained in Snyder County, and it has kept most of its original character in a rural area that has changed little.
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 77001194, listed August 29, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3 mi. W of Beavertown on SR 574, Spring Township, Beavertown |
|---|---|
| County | Snyder County |
| Listed | August 29, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001194 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | c. 1878 |
| Architectural style | Burr arch (timber Burr truss) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Actively maintained; described as in good condition and unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.75186, -77.22307 (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 77001194.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5610467
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.