Passageways

Passageways is a quiet detour into Erie’s wooded past, where covered bridges stretch like timeworn portals between then and now. These structures—weathered, creaking, and steeped in lore—once carried horses, hearses, and whispered secrets across ravines and waterways. Today, they stand as reminders of craftsmanship and mystery, inviting wanderers to slow down, step inside, and listen to the echoes beneath their beams.

WATERFORD

Niemeyer Road in Waterford

Spanning LeBoeuf Creek

Built in 1875 by Charles and James Phelps, the Waterford Covered Bridge is a rare Town lattice truss structure spanning LeBoeuf Creek in Erie County, Pennsylvania—one of only 19 of its kind in the state and the sole example in the county.

Known locally as the “Old Kissing Bridge,” it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and has long been a cherished landmark, entwined with local lore including the tale of the Waterford Sheepman. After decades of wear and a closure in 2011 due to structural concerns, the bridge underwent an extensive $3.5 million restoration using both 19th-century craftsmanship and modern engineering. Reopened in November 2024, the bridge now stands as a testament to Erie’s enduring heritage, complete with its signature barn-red exterior, wooden pin latticework, and a newly added security system to protect it from vandalism and arson.

A red covered bridge over a rural road with trees on either side and a bridge weight limit sign on the right side.
Inside a wooden covered bridge showing the framework and sunlight at the exit
Red covered bridge with wooden framework, next to leafless trees under a clear blue sky.
Close-up of a wooden surface with a rectangular hole revealing the outdoors, showing trees and sky in the background.
Peace symbol drawn with chalk in a circle on wooden surface.
Wooden pathway under construction with wooden planks and support beams on dirt ground.
Inside a wooden covered bridge with wooden beams and planks, sunlight visible at the far end.
Shadow of two people walking through a wooden covered bridge on a dirt road.
A river flowing through a wooded area with leafless trees on both sides. The reflection of the sun and trees can be seen on the water's surface. A wooden deck or platform is visible on the left side of the image.

SHERMAN AKA HARRINGTON

Barney Road (State Route 3003) in Albion

Spanning Conneaut Creek

Built around 1870 by William Sherman, the Sherman Covered Bridge—also known as the Harrington or Keepville Covered Bridge—is one of Erie County’s last surviving covered bridges, spanning the West Branch of Conneaut Creek in Conneaut Township near Albion.

Crafted with a multiple Kingpost truss design and clad in unpainted vertical wooden planks, the 72-foot-long bridge originally served as a vital crossing on Barney Road. Sherman, who also built the now-lost Gudgeonville and Carman bridges, was believed to be affiliated with Albion’s Sherman House hotel. The bridge was rebuilt in 1962 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, preserving its legacy as a rare architectural and historical artifact. Once part of a network of five substantial covered bridges in Conneaut Township, the Sherman Bridge now stands as a quiet sentinel of Erie’s 19th-century craftsmanship and rural heritage.

A wooden covered bridge with a clearance sign, yellow and black striped warning signs on the sides, and a person standing nearby on the right side of the entrance.
Interior view of a wooden barn roof showing the wooden trusses and rafters with small gaps allowing light to shine through.
Inside of a wooden covered bridge with sunlight shining at the end of the tunnel
A small river or creek flowing under a bridge with a wooden support on the left, graffiti on the support, and leafless trees along the banks.

JOHN E. HAZEN

Dead End Saw Mill Road, Moreheadville in Harbocreek

Spanning 12-Mile Creek

Built in 2002 by Theodore R. Hazen Sr., the John E. Hazen Covered Bridge is a handcrafted homage to Erie County’s historic spans, located on private property near Twelvemile Creek in Harborcreek Township.

Inspired by the Waterford Covered Bridge and constructed over 322 hours for just $2,000 (plus a $800 structural engineering fee), the bridge features a flat deck design with a single off-center support, 3-inch-thick oak and hickory decking, and dimensions of 52 feet long by 10.5 feet wide and 12.5 feet high. Though not open to the public, it stands as a personal tribute to the region’s covered bridge legacy and Hazen’s ancestral ties to the area, including connections to the Middletown Farm and a historic water-powered sawmill.

A wooden covered bridge with a sign indicating it was built in 2002, crossing over a small creek, surrounded by leafless trees and a dirt path.
Wooden bridge with a metal plaque labeled 'John E. Hazen Covered Bridge 2002' mounted on the front.
Through a wooden covered bridge, looking out to trees, cars and a dirt path outside on a bright day.
View of a wooden ceiling framework with exposed beams and plywood panels at an angle.
A worn, creased paper sign attached with staples to a wooden surface, titled 'Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.' with text about the society and its historical connection to Theodore Burr, a bridge builder.
A small creek flowing through a wooded area with leafless trees and a dirt and rocky shoreline.