The Bartram Bridge spans the county line between Delaware and Chester Counties over Crum Creek and is located at the intersection of Goshen and Boot Roads. It is the last covered bridge remaining in Delaware County, a county which once had 30 covered bridges. The bridge has unique slanted plank portals, the only bridge in Pennsylvania with this unusual design.

Built in 1860 by Ferdinand Wood, who designed the portals to be "Hi and Wide as a Load of Hay," the bridge is 60 foot long by 13 feet wide. The original cost to build the bridge was shared by Delaware and Chester Counties. It is named for Mordecai Bartram.

The bridge closed to traffic in 1941. The bridge was first repaired in the 1960's (at the time by the Marple Newtown Historical Society). After years of disrepair, the bridge was restored in 1995, funded by a combination of donations, grants and fundraising. The bridge is maintained by a commission of volunteers representing both Newtown and Willistown Townships.

Commissioners
 

NAME	TERM	TOWNSHIP
Erik Gerst (Chair)	Jan. 06- Jan. 08	Willistown
George Conn	Jan. 07- Jan. 09	Willistown
Christopher Driscoll	Jan. 07- Jan. 09	Newtown
Kerk Farrell	Jan. 06- Jan. 08	Newtown
John Garvey	Jan. 07- Jan. 09	Newtown

4Contact the Commission

Meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday in January, April, July and October, alternating locations between Newtown and Willistown Township Buildings. Download an information sheet about the bridge here.

4View more recent images of Bartram Bridge

Archive Photos of Bartram Bridge (click thumbnail to enlarge)

Early Photos

1960's

Before 1996 Repair

After 1996 Repair

Covered Bridge Resources

• Delaware County Covered Bridges article by Henry Folk (1988)
• "Bitter Creek"  Covered Bridge article (1958)

Related Links

• The Theodore Buss Covered Bridge Society of PA
• Covered Bridges of South Eastern PA