Passing Herr's Mill Covered Bridge. Locomotive "Leviathan" whistles for the crossing as the Lincoln Funeral Train passes the Herr's Mill Covered Bridge on the property of Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. This bridge is one of numerous historic structures that were endangered in their former locations and which have now be relocated and restored to their former glory at Stone Gables Estate.
Originally 178 ft. long, this 2-span, double Burr Arch Truss was formerly located on Ronks Road, in Paradise Township, PA, just a couple of miles from the famous Strasburg Railroad. It was constructed in 1844 and spanned Pequea Creek. On the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge was bypassed by a newer, concrete structure in recent years, and was falling into disrepair. In 2018, it was acquired by Mr. David Abel, the owner of Stone Gables Estate, and moved to Elizabethtown, PA. What you see here is just one of the two spans, which has been fully restored and put in place over a creek at the entrance to the property. Hidden underneath this span are some very beefy steel beams, that make this bridge far stronger than it ever was previously. During the Lincoln Funeral Train event, I saw large motor coaches traverse this bridge with no issues. The other span is currently in storage, and Mr. Abel has plans to make it part of his new, Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad. Eventually, that span will bridge another creek on the property, and the train will run through it as part of the planned 3-mile loop.
