North Carolina only has two remaining covered bridges from a bygone era. The oldest of the two is one that is often overlooked as a day trip destination; however, it’s a sight everyone should see at least once – especially native North Carolinians.
Located just an hour's drive north of Charlotte near the town of Claremont, the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge was constructed in 1895 over Lyle Creek.
If you follow NC-70 out of Claremont, you'll find the entrance to Connor Park. Both the Bunker Hill bridge and the park are clearly marked making it easy to locate them both.
Once you've parked your car, you can walk the short distance on the service road behind the gate. It's a peaceful and serene stroll, with places to stop and enjoy the scenery.
Either way, you'll soon be at the oldest remaining covered bridge in North Carolina. When it first opened, this bridge was a mere crossing. The cover was not added until 1900.
As history goes: the man who built the bridge, a North Carolinian named Andrew Ramsour (1817-1906), would have been 77 when the construction began. It's believed he found the Haupt Truss bridge design in a book.
From the outside, it may seem an easy walk across but the bridge is nearly 90 feet long (the roof is 91 feet) and once inside, you may change your mind about the easiness of this trek!
Want to visit? You'll need to wait until repairs to the abutment are completed. As of early April, repairs to the stabilization of both ends of the bridge where it meets the banks of the Lyle Creek were underway, prompting the closing of Connor Park and the Bunker Hill Bridge until they are completed.
Keep up with the progress by following the official Facebook page for the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge here. Remember: until posted otherwise on their Facebook page, the bridge remains closed for repairs.
The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is located at 4160 US-70, Claremont, NC 28610. Once the repairs are complete, the bridge will be open from dawn to dusk. Parking is free.
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