Speakman Covered Bridge No. 1 is a historic wooden covered bridge in East Fallowfield Township near Modena, just south of Coatesville in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1881, the bridge is a Burr arch-truss bridge constructed by Ferdinand and Menander Wood.
The bridge spans Buck Run and is approximately 93 feet long. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 10, 1980. The designation “No. 1” distinguishes it from its twin, Speakman Covered Bridge No. 2, located just a quarter-mile farther down the road.
In November 2011, Speakman No. 1 suffered extensive structural damage when a tractor-trailer carrying steel plates crossed the bridge. The damage forced the bridge to close, and it remained closed for nearly five years while a legal dispute over ownership of the surrounding property was resolved.
PennDOT ultimately purchased the land on which the bridge stands and began the restoration project. After extensive repairs, Speakman Covered Bridge No. 1 reopened to traffic in 2016 and continues to serve as both a functional roadway and an enduring example of Pennsylvania’s historic covered-bridge heritage.
