Penn Valley in Nevada County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bridgeport Historic District
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Bridgeport Historic District Marker
Built in 1862 by David J. Wood with lumber from his mill in Sierra County, the covered bridge was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company toll road that served the northern mines and the Nevada Comstock Lode. The associated ranch and resources for rest and repair provided a necessary lifeline across the Sierra Nevada. Utilizing a unique combination truss and arch construction, Bridgeport Covered Bridge is one of the oldest housed spans in the western United States and the longest single span, wooden covered bridge in the world.
State Registered Historical Landmark No. 390
Registered August 26, 1947
Erected 2014 by Native Sons of the Golden West, California State Parks Foundation, and California State Parks. (Marker Number 390.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks, the California Historical Landmarks, the Covered Bridges, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 39° 17.518′ N, 121° 11.706′ W. Marker is in Penn Valley, California, in Nevada County. It can be reached from Pleasant Valley Road 7½ miles
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Convenience Comes to the South Yuba River (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridgeport Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bridgeport Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Long Distance Telephone (approx. 2 miles away); Birchville (approx. 3.7 miles away); Jacob Van Blaren (approx. 3.8 miles away); Anthony House and Ranch (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Penn Valley.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. There are three markers for the bridge, two on the south end and one on the north end. See nearby markers for more information. This marker is a replacement for the one titled Bridgeport (Nyes Crossing) Covered Bridge.
Also see . . .
1. Bridgeport Historic District. California State Parks website entry:
The California
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 21, 2025
2. Bridgeport Historic District Marker
2. Bridgeport. The California Gold Country website entry:
The Bridgeport Covered Bridge is one of the longest single-span covered bridges in the country. Built by David Ingerfield John Wood in 1862, the bridge stretches 230 feet across the swift-flowing South Fork of the Yuba River, and was part of the Virginia Turnpike Company Toll Road that once served the Northern Mines and Nevadas Comstock Lode. The bridge was constructed with native lumber from Woods mill in Plum Valley, in nearby Sierra County. The exterior of the bridge was finished with wood shingles... (Submitted on October 27, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California.)
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Photographed by Marc Belanger, December 25, 2022
4. Bridgeport Historic District Marker
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark is at right.
Photographed by Craig Baker
5. Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Restoration was completed in 2021.
Photographed by Craig Baker
6. Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Photographed by Craig Baker
7. Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Photographed by Craig Baker
8. Bridgeport Covered Bridge
Photographed by Jim Dierberger, October 26, 2014
9. The Unveiling
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 825 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on March 12, 2023, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9. submitted on October 28, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
