The History of the Knox Covered Bridge

Knox Covered Bridge NPS/Oates

An Iconic Feature of the Landscape

The Knox Covered Bridge is a scenic icon for many visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park. The first covered bridge across Valley Creek was built in 1851; it had to be rebuilt in 1865 after being washed away in a flood. Measuring 10 feet wide and 65 feet long, the bridge connects Yellow Spring Road and Route 252. This picturesque bridge is owned and maintained by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

A Connection to the Past

For many years the bridge was known as the Valley Forge Dam Bridge. In the 19th century there were a number of factories and mills along the Valley Creek with a dam near what is now Route 23 providing water power for their operation.

Today the bridge is usually identified as the Knox Bridge – though there is some disagreement over from which Knox its name is taken: Senator Philander Chase Knox or General Henry Knox. It seems more likely that it takes its name from the former. In 1903 he purchased 256 acres of land adjacent to the bridge and moved into the old farmhouse to the west of the bridge that had been the quarters of General William Maxwell during the Encampment at Valley Forge. Today the house is known as the Philander Chase Knox Estate.He was an attorney and prominent in the Republican Party in the early years of the 20th century, serving as Attorney General under President Theodore Roosevelt and as the Secretary of State in the cabinet of President William Howard Taft. He also served two terms as a United States Senator from Pennsylvania.

The covered bridge is seen in the background of the Knox Estate, early 1900s NPS

The suggestion that the bridge may have been named for General Knox stems from the fact that, during the Valley Forge encampment, the 300-pound commander of the Continental artillery had his quarters in the old farmhouse to the east of the bridge.

The Test of Time

On August 22, 2024 a large tree fell onto the bridge, destroying a large portion of it. Many thought this would be the end of this icon's story. But this 160 year old bridge is no stranger to repair. PennDOThas made many repairs over the years addressing damage caused by fire, deterioration, storm damage, and vehicle impact. A few notable instances include in 1967 when a truck took out the whole side of the bridge and most recently a restoration project in 2012. Bits and pieces from that reservation project can still be seen today! In the visitor center a small model bridge is on display and is made from the old pieces of wood from the bridge.

Bridge damage from an truck bed flipping, 1967. NPS

Repairs for the Future

Even though this beloved bridge is damaged this is just another chapter in its story. Repairs are underway at the covered bridge! PennDOT is fixing up the historic bridge but there is no set deadline on when they will complete work just yet. We will keep you posted as we received more information on their progress. Please check out alerts page to stay up to date on all that is happening in the park.

Restoration projects from 2012 was a project of The Valley Forge Alliance and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. NPS/Werntz

Where this belongs

• Valley Forge National Historical Park

Where this page came from

This page was imported from National Park Service. Produced by the U.S. National Park Service and, as a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.