Historic Bunker Hill Covered Bridge — Attraction in North Carolina

Located about 30 minutes from our home is the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge. My wife and I recently re-visited it.

Some History;

The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is one of two covered bridges left in North Carolina, (the other being the Pisgah Covered Bridge in Randolph County), and is possibly the last wooden bridge in the United States with Haupt truss construction.[2] It was built in 1895 by Andrew Loretz Ramsour (1817–1906) in Claremont, North Carolina, and crosses Lyle Creek.

The bridge construction was started in 1894 when Catawba County Commissioners requested nearby owners of the Bunker Hill Farm to build and maintain a bridge that would cross Lyle Creek on the old Island Ford Road (a former Native American trail). According to local archives, Ramsour found the Haupt truss design in a book. Since the bridge was originally constructed as an open span, its 91-foot-long (28 m) roof wasn't added until 1900, and in 1921, its original wooden shingle roof was replaced with a tin roof. The bridge was owned by the Bolick family until 1985 when they donated it to the Catawba County Historical Association, who restored it in 1994.

From the parking lot, one can take the short, level easy trail to the bridge...maybe a 1/4 mile walk. Or you can now actually drive right up to the bridge.

Unfortunately graffiti is painted all over the interior of the bridge thanks to countless vandals who have no respect for important historical sites. The upkeep of the property is good otherwise however.

If ever in the area a side trip for a visit to the bridge is...

Very nice historial location to visit and explore the past building technics plus a relaxing nature walk with a very beautiful and clean stream flowing by. Well maintained park for family fun and small cookout / gatherings. I noticed fish swimming by and people walking dogs along the gravel trail and paved parking areas plus it was " no charge" to enter. Great job to all involved with maintaning this site. Just wish a few " bad apples" would stop spraying paint on such an " historial site. Can you not just enjoy the great arches and wood work by great craftsman from our past and not damage their GREAT ART WORK. PLEASE SHOW SOME REPSPECT TO OUR HISTORY ; Seriously do you really have to write your name in spray paint on 125 plus year old wood Plus the date you were there. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE CHECK WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT CONTROLS OR MAINTAINS THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK AND HISTORIAL SITE AND SEE IF A NEW 8 BY 12 "SIGN BOARD" COULD BE PLACED ON OR NEAR THE GRAVEL TRAIL FOR THOSE THAT " MUST SPRAY PAINT ON WOOD" MAYBE USE IT AS A MODERN WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF AREA AND GET APPROVAL TO ERECT THIS TYPE STRUCTUCE. MAYBE MADE OF TREATED PLYWOOD SHEETS AND 4X4 POSTS. IF THIS CAN BE DONE. BEING FROM TN. I WILL VOLUNEER MY TIME , Labor and provide all the materials to build such an area. THEN PEOPLE THAT " FEEL THE NEED TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CAN DO IT ON THIS AREA OVER AND OVER AND MAYBE NOT USE THE WOOD ON THAT GREAT HISTORIAL " ONE OF A TIME BRIDGE. I believe Major Herman Haupt would rest better and thank you as well. THANKS Respectfully DON...

This is a beautiful old fashioned covered Bridge. It's about 500 ft. down a flat trail. At first I thought we were going the wrong way because after walking a few minutes I still couldn't find it but it was covered with a little vegetation growing to the left trying to cover it up. But it was there and it was awesome on the inside. It's put together with huge trusses. It even had flat boards added where the wagon wheels would go across so it wouldn't be so rough getting across. While we were there we were greeted by an older gentleman who said his name was Allen. He asked where we were from and how did we find out about the Bridge. He seemed to know a lot about the Bridge and even got a little irritated when I said there was another covered Bridge in NC. He was quick to tell me that IT wasn't made the same and I agreed. So... if you get a chance to go see this lovely bridge please tell Allen I remembered him in my prayers as he said he...