Pequea in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Baumgardner's Mill Covered Bridge (1860)

Pequea #10

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., May 30, 2021

1. Baumgardner's Mill Covered Bridge (1860) Marker

Inscription. In June 1860 Lancaster County Commissioners acceptéd proposals for building a bridge here at Benjamin Harnish's mill between Martic and Pequea Townships. Davis Kitch Sr. (1812-1895) who was a blacksmith by trade built the original bridge at this location a few months later in October 1860 for $1,284. In 1872, Thomas Baumgardner (1816-1900) purchased the adjacent mill property. Baumgardner repaired the aging mill and put in new machinery. Thomas Baumgardner came to Lançaster in 1839 and was active in the mercantile and coal business. He was one of the originators of the cotton mills in Lancaster and built five large tobacco warehouses in Lancaster City. Baumgardner sold the mill to his son and business partner in 1891 but the bridge retained his name. This bridge was rebuilt in 1987 after heavy flood damages.

Notice to bridge-builders.--
Sealed Proposals for bullding a bridge across Pequea creek, at or near Benjamln Harnish's Mill, between Martic and Pequea townships, will be received at the Commissioner's 0ffice, at Lancaster, until 2 o'clock, P. M., on Monday, tbe 18th of June next.
Lancaster Intelligencer, June 12, 1860

Flouring Mill of Thos. Baumgardner Esq. Pequea Tp. Lancaster County Penn.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts

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. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1860.

Location. 39° 55.849′ N, 76° 17.7′ W. Marker is in Pequea, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is on Byerland Church Road near 88 Covered Bridge Road (Byerland Church Road), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pequea PA 17565, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Original Byerland Mennonite Meetinghouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); Marticville (approx. ¾ mile away); Boehms Chapel (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Boehm's Chapel (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Cost of Dynamite (approx. 2.7 miles away); Refton (approx. 3.3 miles away); Colemanville Covered Bridge (approx. 3.3 miles away); First Settlement in Lancaster County (approx. 3.4 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Servicing a Freight Road (was approx. 1.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., July 11, 2021

2. Baumgardner's Mill Covered Bridge (1860) Marker

Looking south; marker is on left.

Baumgardner's Mill Covered Bridge -- Looking north. The marker, across the creek, cannot be seen. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., May 30, 2021

3. Baumgardner's Mill Covered Bridge -- Looking north. The marker, across the creek, cannot be seen.

At south end of bridge, inside of west wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Carl Gordon Moore Jr., May 30, 2021

4. At south end of bridge, inside of west wall

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. This page has been viewed 421 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 12, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.