Rapps Dam Covered Bridge, also known simply as Rapps Bridge, crosses French Creek on Rapps Dam Road in East Pikeland Township, Pennsylvania. The bridge takes its name from George Rapp, who operated a nearby mill known as Snyder’s Mill.
Built in 1866 by Benjamin F. Hartman, the 105-foot-long bridge features a Burr truss design. Its historic details include fieldstone abutments, horizontal wooden siding, and boxed cornices with returns at the portals. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, recognizing its significance as an example of Pennsylvania’s nineteenth-century covered-bridge architecture.
Rapps Bridge has undergone several major repairs and renovations, including work in 1978 and 2011, the latter costing approximately $1.5 million. On April 29, 2014, the historic bridge suffered extensive damage when a tractor-trailer attempted to cross it. Following a major restoration, the bridge reopened to traffic in October 2015.
The bridge is also an excellent starting point for exploring the history and natural beauty of the French Creek Valley. The French Creek Trail can be accessed near the bridge, providing opportunities to explore the surrounding landscape and visit the historic sites of Snyder’s Mill and the Continental Powder Works.
For photographers, Rapps Bridge offers a combination of historic architecture, scenic waterways, and the rich industrial history of the French Creek Valley.
