The 1887 Langley Covered Bridge near Centreville in St. Joseph County is Michigan's longest covered bridge at 232 feet and is one of the longest covered bridges in the country. The bridge has three 94-foot spans and is open to automobile traffic. At 16 feet tall and 19 feet wide, it is notable for how close it sits over the St. Joseph River. It was built by Pierce Bodner, a local builder who constructed several covered bridges and used the Howe truss design. The Howe truss consists of diagonal wooden members combined with vertical iron rods to create a strong and rigid structure. The bridge was named for a local resident, Thomas W. Langley, who in 1831 was Centreville’s first settler. His family helped found the village of Centerville.

Langley Bridge has a gable roof with an asphalt shingle covering and the exterior is painted red with white trim. Open to vehicular traffic, the bridge has a weight limit of three tons. Visitors to the area can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the bridge, along with the recreational opportunities offered by the surrounding parks and natural areas.

In the early 1950s, the St. Joseph County Road Commission extensively repaired the bridge. During the inspection, the inspector slipped and fell from the bridge in 28 feet of water below. Luckily, he latched onto a dangling rope and was pulled to shore, safely.

The bridge was listed with the Michigan State Register on August 31, 1965, and was awarded a Michigan Historical Marker on September 28 of the same year.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, acknowledging its architectural and historical significance.

Located at:  N41 58.046    W85 31.718     -     WGCB #22-75-01

Photographed in May of 2023