In 1880, residents petitioned for a bridge on the road leading from Reamstown Station to Reamstown near Bucher's Mill. On September 19, 1881, Lancaster County Commissioners approved the bridge, and Elias McMellen built it for $1,167.00. Heavy storms on the evening of August 23, 1891, caused Cocalico Creek to rise higher there than it had in the past 50 years, severely damaging the bridge. At the neighboring mill, rainwater rose so high in the barn that the horses' heads had to be held up on hayracks so they would not drown. McMellen rebuilt the bridge the same year for $1,025.00. Monroe Bucher (1820-1901) purchased the neighboring two story stone mill property in 1864. Born at his father's mill, known as Buch's Mill, he learned to run his own mill there. Bucher's Mill remained in the family until his son sold it in 1912, but the family name remained tied to the covered bridge.
