The Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery in Chester County is a fascinating property. It lies near the Brandywine Battlefield historic site. It contains some interesting grave marker and memorials, including memorials to Generals Lafayette and Pulaski.
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A Quick Dip into Delaware
A short distance from the Chadds Ford area one enters the state of Delaware. Fred Smith’s Covered Bridge crosses the Brandywine Creek near the Brandywine tract of First State National Historic Park. It was reconstructed in 2002 after a fire in 1961. It is of the ever popular Burr Arch Truss design. The original Smith Bridge was built in 1839 and was a single span that crossed over Brandywine Creek, near Winterthur. It measured 154 feet long.
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Brandywine Valley Spring
The Brandywine Valley is an iconic area of southeastern Pennsylvania thanks to the artwork of the Wyeth family and other artists. I hadn’t visited the area in a while, but broke down an bought a membership to the Brandywine Conservancy so I could visit the artist studios and the Kuerner farm property. I did not photograph anything at the Brandywine Museum of Art, but I did take some photos of the surrounding area in Chadds Ford.
The Kuerner Farm was adjacent to the Wyeth property. For more than 70 years, the the farm and its inhabitants were a major source of inspiration to Andrew Wyeth. The early 19th-century farmhouse and the red barn are the focus of the property. Karl Kuerner, a German immigrant and World War I veteran, in particular fascinated Andrew Wyeth. I am planning to go back on a tour to get a better look at the property.
The Chadds Ford Village and Barn Shops is a quaint shopping area.
The historic site known as Archie’s Corner is nearby. It features the Bullock Octagonal School, which was constructed in 1838 on land purchased from Robert Bullock. The eight-sided plan where the design placed the teacher at the center of the room, allowing oversight of the full class. The school was sold in 1875 and a new schoolhouse was built on neighboring property.
After the sale of the school, Linda A. Archie, a Black preacher, bought the property and set about building a church on the site in 1891. “Mother” Archie’s African Union Methodist Protestant congregation met in this church until some time after her passing in 1932. A cemetery stands near the ruins of the octagonal building, but only some of the markers for the gravesites that once existed are still visible at the site.
The name Archie’s Corner is derived from a 1953 drawing of the site by famed realist painter and artist Andrew Wyeth, a native of Chadds Ford who frequently visited the site.
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Bedford County Beauties
Heading south from Blue Knob, I visited several covered bridges in Bedford County. First up is the Osterburg Bowser Covered Bridge, a wooden covered bridge at East St. Clair Township. It is a 90-foot-long (27 m), Burr Truss bridge with a shallow gable roof. It crosses Bobs Creek, and it is one of 15 historic covered bridges in Bedford County. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is an example of the bridges in this area that do not have complete sides.
The Osterburg Bowser Covered Bridge 
I next made my way to Snooks Covered Bridge, a historic wooden covered bridge also located in East St. Clair Township Township. Built in 1883, it is a 75-foot-long (23 m), Burr Truss bridge with a shallow gable roof. It crosses Dunning Creek. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in (you guessed) 1980.
Snooks Covered Bridge 
The Ryot Covered Bridge is wooden covered bridge that is located in West St. Clair Township. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This bridge is a low to medium Burr Truss bridge with a shallow gable roof. It was damaged by fire in 2002, and reconstructed. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
A request to remove the bridge from the National Register was submitted after it was badly damaged by a fire in 2002. The bridge was set on fire by teenage arsonists in 2002. Most of the wooden parts of the bridge were badly damaged. The Ryot Bridge was rehabilitated only seven years earlier, so most of the added steel supports remained intact, along with the stone abutments. The bridge was restored by P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., at a total cost of $300,000.
The Ryot Covered Bridge 
The Cuppett’s Covered Bridge, which was built by Cuppett brothers William & Philip on September 14, 1882, is a historic covered bridge that is located in Napier Township. Privately owned by the Cuppett family from the day it was built, the bridge took just five months to build for a total cost of $780. John Wayde did the masonry work, and Jeremiah Thompson completed the carpentry. Crossing Dunnings Creek, the 70-foot-long (21 m) bridge is a unique design with unusually low arches and low side walls which highlight the patented Burr Arch Truss system. The Cuppett’s Covered Bridge was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1980 by the United States Department of the Interior. The bridge was quite a popular spot for family photos when I was there.
The Cuppetts Covered Bridge, decorated for the season. 
The Knisley Covered Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge located at West St. Clair Township. It is an 80-foot-long (24 m), medium Burr Truss bridge with a shallow gable roof. It crosses Dunning Creek. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The Knisely Covered Bridge 
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Another Westward Trip
Another westward trip in late fall gave me the opportunity to just about finish off my visits to Pennsylvania’s state parks. I headed north to Altoona from the Fort Littleton area and made a few stops along the way.
The first stop was actually a covered bridge – Hall’s Mill Covered Bridge. It is a wooden covered bridge which is located in Hopewell Township in Bedford County. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The structure is a 91-foot-long (28 m), Burr Truss bridge with a medium pitched gable roof, and was built in 1872. It crosses Yellow Creek, and is one of fifteen historic covered bridges in Bedford County. It is one of several bridges that I saw in this area with open sides, except for the support beams.
After viewing the bridge, I made my way to Warrior’s Path State Park. This park is one of two near Raystown Lake that I visited. The 349-acre park lies very near the famous path used by the Iroquois in raids and wars with the Cherokees and other American Indians in southern Pennsylvania.
The park is a seasonal, day-use area open from mid-April through the end of October that is fairly small and undeveloped. At other times of the year, visitors must park near the main gate and walk into the park. The park provided opportunities for hiking, boating, fishing and picnicking, wildlife viewing and volleyball. This finger of land is bounded on three sides by the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, which empties into Raystown Lake approximately one mile downstream. The unique shape of the park was formed as a result of river meandering. This section of the river exhibits some of the best examples of natural stream meandering in the state.
The Raystown branch of the Juniata. 
Trough Creek State Park in one of the loveliest in the Commonwealth. The 541-acre park is a scenic gorge formed as Great Trough Creek cuts through Terrace Mountain before emptying into Raystown Lake. Rugged hiking trails lead to wonders like Balanced Rock and Rainbow Falls. Rothrock State Forest and Raystown Lake border the park, making a large, contiguous area of public land for recreation. The park has a lovely campground and the usual state park activities.
The Balanced Rock is one of Trough Creek’s best know sites. 
Trough Creek 
The Ice Mine 
This park is full of interesting rock formations. 
I finished my day with a brief visit to Raystown Lake, an Army Corp of Engineers facility. Raystown Lake is a reservoir in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It is the largest lake that is entirely within Pennsylvania. The original lake was built by the Simpson family of Huntingdon as a hydroelectric project. The current 8,300-acre, 27 mile long Raystown Lake was completed in 1973 by the Army Corps of Engineers. The popular lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, and scenic beauty.
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Gunkle Spring Mill (with a little color)
Gunkle Spring Mill is a historic American gristmill complex constructed in 1793. It is located in East Whiteland Township, Chester County and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The mill was built in 1793 by Michael and Chatharina Gunkle. It is a 2 1⁄2-story, banked stone structure with a gable roof. Also located on the property are a 2 1⁄2-story, stuccoed stone miller’s house, a one-story stone spring house, a one-story stone smokehouse, and a one-story stone carriage house.
Gunkle was a German immigrant from Philadelphia who purchased 974 acres (394 ha) in 1792 in East Whiteland, where he constructed and operated the gristmill, along with a saw mill and a fulling mill. By 1872 the mill processed 1,800 short tons (1,600 t) of flour, feed, corn, and oats yearly. At the peak of its productivity, the mill ran 18 hours a day. The mill remained in continuous operation into the 1940s.
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A Historic Town
Christiana is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. Present-day Christiana was once known as Nobleville. The present name is after Christiana Noble, the wife of a first settler. It is notable as the site of the Christiana railroad depot, constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
In 1851, the town was the site of the Battle of Christiana, also called the Christiana riot. On September 11, 1851, Christiana was the site of the Battle of Christiana (also called the Christiana Riot), in which the local residents defended with firearms a fugitive slave, killing the slaveowner. Southerners demanded the hanging of those responsible, who were accused of treason and making war on the United States, but after the first defendant was acquitted, the government dropped the case. The trial was the first nationally covered challenge to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Today, the town is the sight of the Christiana Underground Railway Center.
Underground Railroad Center – hours are seasonal so check before heading out. 
Some other views from the town and the surrounding area:
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A Plethora of New Parks
Pennsylvania recently announced the designation of three new state parks. As facilities at these parks are still under development, we will take a brief look at two of them here.
The 1,700-acre Big Elk Creek State Park in southern Chester County. The majority of the park consists of lovely farmlands and forest. The park acts as a wildlife corridor and provides refuge for an array of threatened and endangered species. The park’s namesake, Big Elk Creek, traverses the park and is a high-quality stream. Visitors currently may access passive recreational activities, including trail hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.
The 1,044-acres of Susquehanna Riverlands State Park lie in York County, along the confluence of Codorus Creek with the beautiful Susquehanna River. It is nearly six miles northwest of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. The park features multiple rock outcrop vistas over the river and nearly a mile of riverfront along the Susquehanna with 1.5 miles along Codorus Creek. An approximately 2.75-mile-long portion of the Mason-Dixon Trail traverses the park. This 200-mile-long trail connects the Appalachian Trail at Whiskey Springs in Cumberland County with Chadds Ford along the Brandywine River. The cliffs overlooking the river are also popular for rock climbing.
Codorus Furnace is a reconstructed iron furnace that is very close to Susquehanna Riverlands State Park and makes a nice stop if you are visiting the park. Erected in 1765, the Codorus Furnace was once owned by James Smith of York, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Cannon balls were cast in the original furnace during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In 1837, iron was floated downstream to Philadelphia and Baltimore to service early manufacturing. The furnace ceased operations in 1850. The Codorus Furnace is currently owned and maintained by the Conservation Society of York County.
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A County with Covered Bridges to Spare
The trek around Lancaster County’s to view its covered bridges continues. This post will contain looks at quite a few of the bridges in the western part of the county with some nearby views. First are pair of bridges that are quite close to each other.
Forry’s Mill Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans Chiques Creek in West Hempfield. A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the Big Chiques #7 Bridge. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. The bridge’s WGCB Number is 38-36-28. In 1980 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003512. Forry’s Mill Covered Bridge was originally built in 1869 by Elias McMellen for a cost of $2969. The bridge required repairs in 1925 to its sides and floor.
Its partner is Seigrist’s Mill Covered Bridge, an 88-foot (27 m), Burr Arch Truss covered bridge over Chiques Creek between Rapho and West Hempfield Townships. Owned and maintained by the county, its official designation is the Big Chiques #6 Bridge. The bridge’s World Guide to Covered Bridges Number is 38-36-37. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003513 in 1980. The bridge is less than a mile away from the Forry’s Mill Covered Bridge. The bridge was built in 1885 by James C. Carpenter. It was named after the Siegrist family who lived nearby.
Heading farther south, we come across a trio of bridges on Pequea Creek. The Colemanville Covered Bridge spans the Creek. After Hunsecker’s Mill Covered Bridge, it is Lancaster County’s second-longest single-span covered bridge still in use. It is also referred to as the Martic Forge Covered Bridge and Pequea #12 Bridge. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. The bridge’s WGCB Number is 38-36-26. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003534. The Colemanville Covered Bridge was originally built in 1856 by James C. Carpenter at a cost of $2,244. After being damaged twice by flooding, it was partially rebuilt in 1938 by Edmund Gardner and in 1973 by David Esh. Lancaster county completely rebuilt the bridge in 1992 for $350,000. During the restoration process the bridge was raised by 6 feet (1.8 m) and moved west a few feet to protect it from damage in potential future flooding.
Baumgardener’s Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that also spans Pequea Creek. A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the Pequea #10 Bridge. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. The bridge’s WGCB Number is 38-36-25. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 11, 1980. Baumgardener’s Covered Bridge was built in 1860 by Davis Kitch at a cost of $1,284. In 1987 the bridge was restored after it was damaged in a flood the previous year. During this restoration process, which cost $200,000, the bridge was raised by 4 feet (1.2 m) and lengthened by 9 feet (2.7 m) to protect it from damage in potential future flooding.
Finally, we come to Lime Valley Covered Bridge, which spans Pequea Creek. A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the Pequea #8 Bridge. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks.
The bridge’s WGCB Number is 38-36-23. Added in 1980, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003535. It was built in 1871 by either Joseph Cramer or Elias McMellen at a cost of $3,500. The bridge was a twin to another covered bridge built in 1857 by Silas Wolverton that was located 200 ft (61 m) to the west of the Lime Valley Covered Bridge.
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A Summer Trip to Lake Naomi (with a little detour)
My annual trip to Lake Naomi in the Poconos with some friends occurred back in August. I took the opportunity to stop at a few locations along the way.
My first stop was the Little Gap Covered Bridge. The bridge was built around 1860, and the structure is a seventy-three-foot, Burr truss-span that crosses the Aquashicola Creek. The bridge incorporated elements of the Howe truss in its construction. A nearby restaurant, the “Covered Bridge Inn,” takes its name from the bridge. In 2011, the bridge was damaged by a hit and run driver.
A second stop, very close to Lake Naomi, is the Hungry Hill historic site on the Sullivan Trail. The site is a Revolutionary War memorial and gravesite of an unknown soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
“This encampment site was named by General Sullivan’s expedition of the Revolutionary War, 1779, en route north to avenge the Wyoming Massacre. They called the adjacent swamp Hell’s Kitchen. Army engineers built this first road on the Pocono Plateau, across the desolate area known as the Great Swamp. Meager provisions required the soldiers to live off the land, and one died here.”
And, finally, some shots from around Lake Naomi.
