National Register of Historic Places

White Rock Forge Covered Bridge

Kirkwood, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Listed
December 10, 1980
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
80003522

About this property

The White Rock Forge Covered Bridge or White Rock Covered Bridge is a covered bridge that spans the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek in southeast Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A county-owned and maintained bridge, its official designation is the West Octoraro #2 Bridge. It was first constructed in 1847 by John Russell and Elias McMellen, but the original was destroyed by flooding, it is 103 feet long, and it was last rebuilt in 1884. The wooden burr bridge crosses the West Branch of the Octoraro Creek. It is 103 feet long and 13 feet wide. The bridge has a single span, wooden, double Burr arch trusses design with the addition of steel hanger rods. The deck is made from oak planks. It is painted red, the traditional color of Lancaster County covered bridges, on both the inside and outside. Both approaches to the bridge are painted in the traditional white color. The bridge's WGCB Number is 38-36-18. Added in 1980, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as structure number 80003522. It is located at 39°49′28.8″N 76°5′24″W (39.82467, -76.09000).

Location

Kirkwood, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
39.82472, -76.08987

Categories

ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about White Rock Forge Covered Bridge

This page lists White Rock Forge Covered Bridge. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your White Rock Forge Covered Bridge report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Pine Grove Covered Bridge
Industrial
3.2 mi
Fulton, Robert, Birthplace
Industrial
3.9 mi
Hopewell Historic District
Listed
4.9 mi
Kirks Mills Historic District
Listed
5 mi
Douglass, John, House
Industrial
5.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Iron Works Hill (MD 1777)
1777Revolutionary War
8.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was White Rock Forge Covered Bridge listed on the National Register?

White Rock Forge Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 1980.

What type of historic resource is White Rock Forge Covered Bridge?

White Rock Forge Covered Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for White Rock Forge Covered Bridge?

The period of significance for White Rock Forge Covered Bridge is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near White Rock Forge Covered Bridge?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near White Rock Forge Covered Bridge will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Lancaster County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Lancaster County.

Explore LancasterCounty ›

More historic places in Pennsylvania

Browse all historic places in Pennsylvania.

View Pennsylvaniahistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Pennsylvania history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Pennsylvaniahistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near White Rock Forge Covered Bridge will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report