McDonald in Washington County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Wilson Mill Covered Bridge
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 13, 2026
1. Wilson Mill Covered Bridge Marker
The bridge which stands today in McDonald is a replica of the old kingpost-truss style Wilson Mill Bridge which originally spanned Cross Creek in Independence Township, Washington County.
The bridge serviced several different Wilson family farms in their valley, as well as the nearby Wilson Grain Mill. The original 35 foot long bridge, built in 1889, was moved to Cross Creek County Park in 1978 as part of an "eminent domain" flood control project which created Cross Creek Lake. Because the bridge was vandalized and damaged by fire in 2002 It was dismantled and removed to the County's Mingo Creek Park for storage and possible future restoration.
Due to its badly deteriorated condition plans to restore the bridge were later abandoned and the Washington County Planning Commission elected to build a new construction replica on the Panhandle Trail in McDonald. The replica bridge was dedicated 5 July 2011 by the Washington County Commissioners and local elected officials.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 2011.
Location. 40° 22.052′ N, 80° 14.039′ W. Marker is in McDonald, Pennsylvania, in Washington County. It can be reached from Panhandle Trail east of South McDonald
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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 walking distance of this marker: Tillinghast Machine Shop / McCarty Lumber Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonald's Railroad Freight Station / A View of South McDonald Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Jay Livingston (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); McDonald's West Bound Passenger Train Station / McDonald's East Bound Passenger Train Station (about 400 feet away); Oil Well Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); The McDonald Oil Field / The Old McDonald School Bell (approx. 0.4 miles away); Flowing Oil Well (approx. 0.4 miles away); McDonald Oil Field (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McDonald.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, April 13, 2026
2. Wilson Mill Covered Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
