Northern and eastern parts of Indiana County contain areas of large strands of hemlock trees. The serenity of a hemlock forest, especially after a winter snow, is one of our favorite things about winter . This photo was taken in an area along Little Mahoning Creek near Rochester Mills, PA.
When this photo was taken cars could still travel over the Kintersbug Covered Bridge. The bridge still stands but traffic was diverted from the bridge in 1977. The large sugar maple tree, left of the bridge still stands. Kintersburg Covered Bridge is one of only four bridges in Pennsylvania that feature a Howe Truss design. The large X-shaped trusses are an identifying feature of the bridge truss design.
If you visit this location near the Harmon Covered Bridge today you will find the scene looks almost the same. The only difference would be that the hills behind the covered bridge now have more trees on them. Harmon Bridge was constructed in 1911 and was one of the last covered bridges constructed in Indiana County. Only the Bell School Bridge, located just a short distance upstream from here, was built later. The Bell School Bridge is now gone, one of nearly 48 covered bridges that once existed in Indiana County. Today four covered bridges are left in the County.
