Covered bridges just have an old-fashioned charm that most of us can’t deny. While covered bridges are far less common than they were decades ago, we’re still lucky to have our fair share of them in Western Pennsylvania. The historic charm of the covered bridge is even celebrated, the third weekend in September annually, at the Washington & Greene Counties Covered Bridge Festival, which also features the oldest covered bridge near Pittsburgh.

1. Erskine Covered Bridge is one of the oldest covered bridges in the United States.
Flickr/Bill Eichelberger
Tucked in West Alexander, Washington County, Erskine Covered Bridge dates back to 1845. William Gordon designed the historic covered bridge that is the oldest covered bridge in Washington County and one of the oldest in the United States.
2. The historic covered bridge is Pennsylvania’s westernmost bridge.
Wikimedia Commons/Jerrye & Roy Klotz MD
While you’ll have about a 50-minute drive to Erskine Covered Bridge from downtown Pittsburgh, you’ll get to see a piece of history. The covered bridge is less than a mile from the West Virginia border.
3. You’ll feel like you stepped back in time.
Facebook/Washington County Historical Society
Painted red both inside and out, Erskine Covered Bridge harkens back to a simpler time. Walk or drive through the covered bridge that spans nearly 40 feet long and is almost 12 feet wide.

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4. The historic covered bridge is a perfect backdrop for photographs.
Flickr/Bill Eichelberger
Whether you’re snapping photos for a special occasion or you just like taking pictures, you won’t find a better backdrop than Erskine Covered Bridge. The bridge boasts two windows, in fact, where you can pose for photos.
5. Experience history firsthand.
Flickr/Bill Eichelberger
Erskine Covered Bridge boasts a rich history. It remained standing, for example, when the area flooded in 1888. Even when the area was strip mined, the covered bridge survived. However, the bridge underwent reconstruction in 2006.
Address: Erskine Road, West Alexander, PA, 15376
Flickr/Bill Eichelberger

Do you have a favorite covered bridge near Pittsburgh? Join the conversation in the comments! Ready to explore some more of Western Pennsylvania’s covered bridges? Click here to read more about 10 covered bridges near Pittsburgh.

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