PA Covered Bridges

Exploring Glessner Covered Bridge in Somerset County

Front view of the Glessner Covered Bridge in Somerset County, surrounded by fall foliage.

Glessner Covered Bridge near Shanksville is one of ten remaining historic covered bridges in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Glessner Covered Bridge FAQs

When was Glessner Covered Bridge built?

It was buit in 1881 by Tobias Glessner, and extensively rebuilt in 1998.
The Glessner Covered Bridge near Shanksville Pennsylvania

How long is Glessner Covered Bridge?

90 feet long.
Fall foliage around the Glessner Covered Bridge in the Laurel Highlands.

What body of water does the bridge span?

The Stonycreek River.
Side view of the Glessner Covered Bridge in Somerset County on a summer afternoon.

Can I navigate to Glessner Covered Bridge by GPS?

Yes – use GPS coordinates 40.02616, -78.92091.
Map to Glessner Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania

What type of trusses were used to build the Glessner Covered Bridge?

Burr arch trusses.
Trusses inside the Glessner Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania.

Can I drive through the Glessner Covered Bridge?

Yes – Covered Bridge Road passes through Glessner Covered Bridge and is open to vehicular traffic.
Inside the Glessner Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania

What are the inventory numbers for Glessner Covered Bridge?

NRHP 80003631 (National Register of Historic Places reference number)
WGCB 38-56-08 (World Guide to Covered Bridges number)
The Glessner Covered Bridge in Pennsylvania

Do any historical photos exist showing how Glessner Covered Bridge looked before restoration?

Yes – here is how it looked in 1972.
The Glessner Covered Bridge in 1972 Somerset County Pennsylvania

Looking for more Somerset County Covered Bridges?

Barronvale Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in Somerset County (162 feet long).

A blue sky summer morning at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County PA — A blue sky summer morning at the Barronvale Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

Pack Saddle Covered Bridge is the most famous covered bridge in Somerset County.

A lone fisherman on Brush Creek below the Pack Saddle Covered Bridge in Somerset County, PA.

Lower Humbert Covered Bridge is the southernmost covered bridge in Somerset County.

Lower Humbert Covered Bridge over Laurel HIll Creek in Somerset County PA — Lower Humbert Covered Bridge over Laurel Hill Creek in Somerset County, PA.

Kings Covered Bridge is a great spot for a creekside picnic, at a pavilion right next to the bridge.

An autumn reflection of Kings Covered Bridge.

New Baltimore Covered Bridge spans the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River in eastern Somerset County.

New Baltimore Covered Bridge surrounded by fall foliage.

Or maybe you’d like to see a driving tour of ALL 10 Somerset County covered bridges?

Fall foliage at Trostletown Covered Bridge in Somerset County Pennsylvania.

Explore even more covered bridges on the Covered Bridges page here on PABucketlist.com.

A guide to the best covered bridges in Pennsylvania. — The PA Bucket List guide to the best covered bridges in Pennsylvania.

And for a completely different kind of bridge, be sure to check out the Salisbury Viaduct in Somerset County, part of the Great Allegheny Passage rail trail.

Rusty Glessner taking in the sunrise over the Salisbury Viaduct.

This 1.908 foot long former railroad bridge soars 101 feet above the Casselman River and Route 219 near Meyersdale, PA.

The Salisbury Viaduct disappears into the Pennsylvania foothills near Meyersdale.

Nearby Attractions

The Flight 93 National Memorial is just a few minutes away from the Glessner Covered Bridge.

Approaching the Wall of Names along the Plaza Walkway at the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville PA — The Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The Flight 93 Memorial Chapel is home to many donated pieces of memorabilia and serves as a place to honor those who died on 9/11/2001.

The Flight 93 Memorial Chapel at the intersection of Coleman Station and Stutzmantown roads — The Flight 93 Memorial Chapel near Shanksville.

Patriot Park near Shanksville is the future home of a permanent memorial intended to honor all those who died in the line of duty while serving the United States military in the Global War on Terrorism.

The Field of Heroes at Patriot Park near Shanksville. Pennsylvania. — The Field of Heroes at Patriot Park near Shanksville.

The 1806 Old Log Church is located approximately 30 minutes east of the Glessner Covered Bridge, in Bedford County.

Fall foliage in Bedford County at the 1806 Old Log Church. — The 1806 Old Log Church in Bedford County, PA.

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