The 1847 Rupert Covered Bridge in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Rupert Bridge was built in 1847 by Jesse M. Beard at a cost of $1,637. It is located in the village of Rupert named after Leonard Rupert who established a ferry across the river and his home became a popular stopping-off place for travelers. Farmers would shovel snow onto the bridge to create an easy passage for sleds hauling passengers and logs. It is the longest remaining covered bridge in Columbia County and spans Fishing Creek.

The bridge has survived several major floods including the 1904 Ice Jam Flood and the 1972 Flood of Tropical Storm Agnes and the impact of numerous automobile accidents on the interior of the structure. On September 22, 1994, the bridge was closed to all traffic due to its deteriorated condition. The bridge was reopened on June 25, 2001, following rehabilitation. The walls and roof are still self-supported with a new load-bearing modern bridge constructed underneath.

The bridge is a Burr Arch Truss which has been strengthened with steel I-beams. It has an overall length of 185 ft, 4 inches, and was originally a one-span bridge until two concrete piers were added during its 1999-2001 rehabilitation.

The bridge is the oldest existing covered bridge in Columbia County.

Length of largest span: 56.1 ft.
Total length: 170 ft.
Deck width: 15.1 ft.
Vertical clearance above deck: 9.5 ft.

Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on November 29, 1979.

Located at:  N40 58.879    W76 28.354     -     WGCB #39-19-33

Photographed in September 2021