Barronvale Covered Bridge was the tenth bridge constructed in Somerset County. In 1828, Peter Kooser petitioned the county commissioners to build it for patrons of his gristmill, which had originally been built nearby by John Kooser in 1806. On Tuesday, July 14, 1829, The Somerset Herald published notice that the contract for building a bridge at Koosers Mill in Milford Township, now Middlecreek Township, would be sold on August 8. Cassimer Cramer obtained the contract and completed the bridge in 1830 at a cost of $300. In 1845, the bridge was repaired and strengthened with heavy Burr string type arches designed and constructed by noted bridge builder Theodore Burr, at a cost to the county of $750. In 1907, the present stone supports were built from nearby quarried stone and were dressed and installed by a group of Italian craftsmen for $773.85, and some work was also done to the wooden structure. In the early 1930's, the bridge received a new cedar shingle roof installed by Wesley Henry and Hubert Whipkey on the downstream side and James Henry, Harry Whipkey, and Lloyd Schrock on the upstream side, and that roof remained until 1986, when the present metal roof was installed to protect and preserve the bridge. The bridge is one of thirteen of its kind in Somerset County, is the longest of them at 162 feet, and is currently owned and maintained by Middlecreek Township as a popular stop along the Somerset County driving tour.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: Bradley Owen

Photo: Bradley Owen

Photo: Bradley Owen

Upper Turkeyfoot, Pennsylvania · USA