In 1885, bridge viewers reported that a bridge was needed near Samuel Erb's farm where Hammer Creek crossed the public road from Rothsville to Lincoln. Lancaster County Commissioners visited the site on May 27, 1887, agreed to build the bridge that season, and advertised for proposals for either an iron or wooden bridge. The covered bridge was built in the summer of 1887 by John G. Bowman for $1,744.00. A public notice called for bids for a bridge over Hammer Creek between Ephrata and Warwick townships, about one mile from Millway Station on the Columbia and Reading Railway, to be submitted by noon on Monday, August 1, 1887, with specifications for a wooden bridge on file and a forfeit bond of $600 required with each bid.
