Newtown Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Community-built Landmark

Photographed by Richard Peterson, September 7, 2026

1. Community-built Landmark Marker

Inscription. Until 1873, crossing from Newtown to Northampton Township meant fording Neshaminy Creek close to where you’re standing now, braving ice floes and changeable water levels. Local residents petitioned the Bucks County Commissioners to build a bridge between their communities. The covered bridge was completed in 1873 and stood as a beautiful, historic link for the next 118 years.

In 1991, fire destroyed the beloved bridge. Immediately, community members rallied to rebuild it. They joined together to raise funds and develop construction plans over the next six years. More than 800 volunteers rebuilt the bridge in less than three weeks. The bridge reopened on September 6, 1997, dedicated to all those who made the reconstructed bridge possible.

Schofield Ford Covered Bridge
• 164 feet long
• 15 feet wide
• 3000+ wooden pegs secure posts and beams
• Entirely built of native PA hemlock and white oak
• Only double-span bridge in Bucks County

Changes Over Time
The original bridge underwent only two structural changes before its demise. The Bridge was once privately owned and maintained by George F. Tyler from 1917-1964.

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In 1932, he reinforced the wooden bridge with steel beams. The state of Pennsylvania bought the land from the Tyler estate and incorporated six diamond-shaped windows (shown right, during renovation). After the fire, the bridge was rebuilt with its original truss design, steel beam structure and diamond windows.

Photo captions:
• Community members rebuild the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, above. Before beginning the bridge, volunteers raised a timber frame barn to practice techniques for the bridge construction.
• Today, equestrians, cyclists, hikers, painters and photographers frequent the covered bridge.
• Hand drill used in post and beam construction.
• Residents referred to the original covered bridge by the names of the farming families adjactent to it. Hence it was originally known as both Twining Ford Bridge and Schofield Ford Bridge.

Erected by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 40° 14.667′ N,

Community-built Landmark Marker in front of Schofield Ford Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Peterson, September 7, 2026

2. Community-built Landmark Marker in front of Schofield Ford Covered Bridge

74° 58.817′ W. Marker is in Newtown Township, Pennsylvania, in Bucks County. It can be reached from Swamp Road 0.7 miles east of Worthington Mill Road. The Marker is on Covered Bridge Trail, 0.2 mile from a parking area which is 0.2 mile from Swamp Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Newtown PA 18940, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

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,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Schofield Ford Covered Bridge (here, next to this marker); Bridging Past and Present (here, next to this marker); A Bridge from Past to Present, Neighbor to Neighbor ... (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Public Highway to Scenic Byway ...

Schofield Ford Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Peterson, September 7, 2026

3. Schofield Ford Covered Bridge

(about 300 feet away); From Loss to Renewal ... (about 300 feet away); Summer House Garden Seat (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Sculptures of Stella Elkins Tyler (approx. 0.7 miles away); Tyler Gardens Planting Area (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newtown Township.

Photographed by Richard Peterson, September 7, 2026

4. Community-built Landmark Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2026, by Richard Peterson of East Windsor, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 12, 2026, by Richard Peterson of East Windsor, New Jersey. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.