Walter's Mill Bridge
Why it's listed
Built in 1830 by Christian Ankeny, this small burr arch covered bridge is a timber structure with a tin-covered gable roof and half vertical plank siding. It measures 60 feet long and 12 feet wide, with an 11-foot-5-inch clearance, and was originally placed across Coxe's Creek about four miles south of Somerset in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It was later moved to the Somerset Historical Center grounds, where it now crosses Haupt's Run. The bridge is posted for foot traffic only. Its portal design resembles that of the other surviving covered bridges in the county, which is the basis for its inclusion in the county's group of covered bridges as a thematic resource. The structure's sides were reported to have spread, and it was noted as needing new deck planking.
Significance in brief: The nomination identifies it as a surviving example of the burr arch covered bridge type in Somerset County, noting its half vertical plank siding and portal design similar to the other remaining covered bridges of the county. It is presented as one of a group of county covered bridges listed together as a thematic resource.
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 80003635, listed December 10, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence low).
Key facts
| Address | N of Somerset off PA 985, Somerset Township, Somerset |
|---|---|
| County | Somerset County |
| Listed | December 10, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003635 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Christian Ankeny (builder) |
| Architectural style | Burr arch truss |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition noted as fair, with sides appearing to have spread and needing new deck planking. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.06569, -79.07744 (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 80003635.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7964105
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.