Coral Springs Covered Bridge — Attraction in Coral Springs

Having only been founded on July 10, 1963 there aren't too many historic buildings in Coral springs. You have a tiny history museum in Mullins Park and this bridge. At the time this bridge was built the only roads in Coral Springs were dirt and the only houses that existed were on paper. The bridge was built over N.W. 95th Ave, just south of Wiles Rd. It was originally the entrance to the city.

The Coral Springs Covered Bridge was the first permanent structure to be built in Coral Springs. It was designed by George Hodapo and built in 1964 by Coral Springs founder James Hunt, Lewis Mullins, the namesake of Mullins Park and George Porter. Both Lewis and George worked for Coral Ridge Properties which sold the homes that were going to be built in Coral Springs. The small building the men worked out of has now been moved to Mullins Park and turned into a museum. The covered bridge was built to be a landmark and to convey a sense of country and genteel old south to prospective home buyers. James Hunt saw an advertisement for tobacco and thought it looked southern so he had the Bull of the Woods logo painted for free by the company on the east side of the bridge. On the west side of the bridge is the Peach Sweet Snuff logo meant to appeal to the ladies. The bridge was originally painted red and then weathered to make it look older. Once the bridge was built, Coral Ridge Properties held the "largest land rush discount land sale and barbecue". Ten thousand people drove over the bridge to attend the event.

In September of 2018 the bridge was damaged by a 12 foot truck that thought it could fit under a 10 foot bridge. The damage exceeded over a hundred thousand dollars. The city of Coral Springs made the repairs and the bridge reopened in May of 2019.

Not very many people, even residents of Coral Springs know about this bridge. It is the only covered bridge in Florida on a public road. There is a Florida Heritage Site Marker detailing its history on the side of the road next to it. You can drive across the bridge and experience authentic Coral Springs history. It is also a great spot to take pictures. I'm sure James Hunt would be proud to know that his landmark bridge...

HOW COOL!!! I've lived in Florida for a majority of my life (mostly South Florida), and never knew we had a covered bridge in the city of Coral Springs! I only found out about it from an Only In Your State article, so I just had to go check it out. There's really not a lot to it, as it's just the covered bridge and the sign next to it describing its history, but it is just the coolest thing to drive through. There isn't any specified parking area, no gift shop, etc., so don't go there expecting those things. It's just a really neat covered bridge to drive through and experience something from yesteryear. It's on a non-busy road, so you can get out and snap some pics while you're there. Go...

Covered bridges are rare and finding one in South Florida especially so. This is the oldest one in the state, built in 1964 so relatively modern. It was the first permanent structure in Coral Springs. A single steel span that is 40 feet long.

It is an active bridge and I was pleased that the height and weight clearance were sufficient for the Sprinter van. There is no easy parking here with signs indicating private property and no parking on the grass. As such, you can't get any good view of the logos on the side of the bridge.

Interesting note - it is the only covered bridge located on a public right-of-way in...