The 1868 Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site is a publicly owned property in Linn County, Missouri, maintained as a state historic site by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Also called the Linn County Bridge, the covered bridge is 151 feet with a width of nearly 17 feet. It is also the longest of the four remaining covered bridges in Missouri.

In August 1868, a contract was awarded by the Linn County Commissioners to Bishop & Eaton for a single-lane bridge across Locust Creek, with the cost not to exceed 5,500 dollars. Patented in 1840, this Howe truss design was constructed of white pine. True to its design, vertical iron rods tightly secure diagonal wooden beams to the bottom and top of the structure. The bridge also features arched entrances with ramps sloping away from both ends.

Used only for wagon, horse, and pedestrian traffic originally, in the early 20th century the bridge came to be used for automotive traffic as part of Missouri Route 8. Over time, the bridge became a hangout for locals. Carvings of those proclaiming their love or marking their presence were all along the bridge's internal walls. The completion of U.S. Route 36 in 1930 bypassed the bridge and decreased its use. The bridge also runs parallel to the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. It was used to transport goods and people across the creek until 1962 when it finally closed to traffic. After World War II, the course of Locust Creek was changed and the bridge eventually spanned a dry creek bed. Over time the creek bed filled with silt, leaving the bridge resting on mud much of the time.

In 1968, the State of Missouri acquired the bridge and established the Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site, then repaired the bridge, replacing its roof, sheeting, and flooring. The Missouri Department of Conservation undertook another major improvement in 1991, raising the bridge by six feet to protect the wooden frame and flooring from the marshy ground, and is now open to pedestrian traffic only.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Located at:  N39 47.534    W93 14.046     -     WGCB #25-58-01

Photographed in May 2023