PA Covered Bridges

Exploring Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg

Exploring Sachs Covered Bridge in Adams County Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for information about Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettsyburg, you’re in the right place!

Sachs Covered Bridge on an October afternoon.

Sachs Covered Bridge was built around 1854 and spans Marsh Creek just south of Gettysburg.

How to find Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg Pennsylvania — Map to Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The bridge is also known also known as Sauck’s Covered Bridge, Sauches Covered Bridge, or Waterworks Covered Bridge.

Southwestern end of Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg. — Southwestern end of the bridge.

The bridge is closed to vehicular traffic (but open to pedestrians), and there is parking at either end of the bridge.

A wheelchair-accessible ramp is located next to the parking area on the northern end of the bridge, at GPS coordinates 39.79756, -77.27577, where Waterworks Road dead-ends at the bridge.

Wheelchair-accessible ramp at Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg PA — Wheelchair-accessible ramp.

Sachs Covered Bridge During the Battle of Gettysburg

Nine years after its construction, Union forces crossed Sachs Covered Bridge on July 1, 1863, headed towards Gettysburg.

Three days later, retreating Confederate forces also crossed Sachs Covered Bridge, which in no small part is why the PA Department of Highways (PennDOT’s predecessor) designated it “Pennsylvania’s most historic covered bridge” in 1938.

Sachs Covered Bridge is knwn both as Pennsylvania's historic Covered Bridge and also as Pennsylvania's most-haunted covered bridge. — Sachs Covered Bridge is known both as Pennsylvania’s most-historic covered bridge and also as Pennsylvania’s most-haunted covered bridge.

Sachs Covered Bridge Construction

Sachs Covered Bridge is 100 feet long and 15 feet wide.

The cost to construct Sachs Covered Bridge in 1854 is reported to have been $1,544.00.

Plaque embedded in the abutment at Sachs Covered Bridge. — Plaque embedded in the bridge abutment.

It utilizes an interesting construction technique known as a Town Lattice truss, named after its designer Ithiel Town.

Sachs Covered Bridge utilizes an interesting construction technique known as a Town Lattice truss, named after its designer Ithiel Town. — The bridge utilizes an interesting construction technique known as a Town Lattice truss, named after its designer Ithiel Town.

In a Town Lattice truss bridge, wooden beams are criss crossed to form a lattice which gives the bridge its structural integrity.

Town Lattice trusses used to construct the bridge.

Sachs Covered Bridge Today

Sachs Covered Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1968, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The bridge was damaged by flood waters in June 1996, repaired, and rededicated in July 1997.

Sachs Covered Bridge was rebuilt in 1996. — The bridge was rebuilt in 1996.

Because it lies so close to the battlefields of Gettysburg, it is rumored to be haunted and is a popular spot for modern-day “ghost hunters”.

Sachs Covered Bridge over Marsh Creek near Gettysburg PA — The bridge spans Marsh Creek near Gettysburg.

The openings in the sides of the bridge give you clear views up and down Marsh Creek.

Looking upsteream on Marsh Creek from Sachs Coverered Bridge towards the modern bypass brigde. — Looking upsteream on Marsh Creek towards the modern bypass brigde.

Visiting Sachs Covered Bridge near Gettysburg offers a serene stroll through history, enveloped in picturesque scenery and whispers of its Civil War past.

Sachs Covered Bridge was a witness to the Battle of Gettysburg.

Nearby Attractions

29 Must-See Attractions in Adams County highlights more sights and experiences near Sachs Covered Bridge.

A collage of scenes from Adams County, PA including the Gettysburg National Military Park, the Round Barn, the World War II American Experience Museum, and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing.

Explore Pennsylvania like never before with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map, featuring over 1,000 memorable destinations all across the Keystone State!

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