Hassenplug Bridge
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Hassenplug Bridge
| nrhp_type =
| image = Hassenplug Covered Bridge.jpg
| caption = Hassenplug Covered Bridge, April 2010
| location = N. 4th St.,
Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
| coordinates = {{coord|40|55|25|N|77|3|0|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Pennsylvania#USA
| built = 1825
| architecture = Burr Truss
| added = February 8, 1980
| area = {{convert|0.1|acre}}
| mpsub = {{NRHP url|id=64000734|title=Union County Covered Bridges TR}}
| refnum = 80003641{{NRISref|version=2010a}}
}}
The Hassenplug Bridge is an historic wooden covered bridge which is located in Mifflinburg, Union County, Pennsylvania.
The oldest covered bridge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the American state with the most covered bridges), it is also purportedly the oldest covered bridge in the United States,{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Benjamin D.|title=New England's Covered Bridges|year=2004|publisher=University Press of New England|location=Hanover, New Hampshire, USA|isbn=1-58465-320-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/newenglandscover00benj/page/121 121]|author2=Evans, June R.|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/newenglandscover00benj/page/121}} and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
History and architectural features
This historic structure is an {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}}, Burr Truss bridge, which was erected in 1825 and overhauled in 1959. It was the restored again in 2021, a reconstruction effort which, once again, replaced the 1959 steel grate floor with historically authentic, wide, wood planks.
This covered bridge crosses the west or south branch of Buffalo Creek, and was named for the Hassenplug family of the early nineteenth century who lived in the brick homestead that is located on the north side of the bridge. The Hassenplugs were well known locally for their production of German beer. {{cite web| url = https://www.dot7.state.pa.us/ce/SelectWelcome.asp| title = National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania| publisher = CRGIS: Cultural Resources Geographic Information System| format = Searchable database| access-date = 2012-06-03| archive-date = 2007-07-21| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070721014609/https://www.dot7.state.pa.us/ce/SelectWelcome.asp| url-status = dead}} Note: This includes {{cite web| url = {{NRHP-PA|H050855_01H.pdf}}| title = National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Hassenplug Bridge| accessdate = 2012-06-03| author = Charles M. Snyder| format = PDF| date= n.d.}}
It is the oldest covered bridge in Pennsylvania, and is purportedly the oldest covered bridge in the United States.{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Benjamin D.|title=New England's Covered Bridges|year=2004|publisher=University Press of New England|location=Hanover, New Hampshire, USA|isbn=1-58465-320-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/newenglandscover00benj/page/121 121]|author2=Evans, June R.|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/newenglandscover00benj/page/121}} However, this distinction is also claimed for the Hyde Hall Bridge in New York.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
References
{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania}}
{{NRHP bridges}}
Category:Covered bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Category:Covered bridges in Union County, Pennsylvania
Category:Bridges completed in 1825
Category:Wooden bridges in Pennsylvania
Category:Bridges in Union County, Pennsylvania
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Union County, Pennsylvania
Category:Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania