Switzer Covered Bridge

Switzer Covered Bridge Switzer Covered Bridge is Kentucky's Official Covered Bridge and one of eleven remaining historic covered bridges in Kentucky. long, 11 ft.

One of eleven remaining historic covered bridges in Kentucky, Switzer Bridge spans the scenic Elkhorn Creek in northern Franklin County along KY 1262. It was built by George Hockensmith about 1855 and is 120 ft. wide, and of Howe truss design. Renovated in 1906, the bridge has endured, surviving a process of updates that removed the exterior protective sheeting of bridges to increase load rating.

However this removed the protection from the elements and ensured the demise of the majority of Ketucky's covered bridges. Endangered with demolition in 1953, the bridge was saved and bypassed by a new adjacent bridge and the historic bridge closed to vehicular traffic. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 6, 1974. (NRHP 74000875)

Renovated again in 1990, Switzer Bridge was nearly lost when a flash flood swept it from its piers in on March 1, 1997. Thankfully the Commonwealth of Kentucky rebuilt the bridge in 1998 and named it the State of Kentucky's Official Covered Bridge that same year. Today, Switzer is the last remaining historic covered bridge in Franklin County which was home to more than 33 covered bridges throughout its history. It endures as a popular tourist attraction, and a historic landmark of the famed Elkhorn Creek. The Switzer Covered Bridge Festival was been hosted annually since 1989, usually hosted the last Saturday in September. and is a community celebration of this beloved historic landmark. Switzer is a small hamlet in Northern Franklin County on the North Elkhorn Creek about six miles northeast of Frankfort. Settlement of the area began in the 1790s. Kissinger Station and later Switzer Depot on the Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad was located here, mainly serving local lead mining and agricultural products. The Switzer post office operated from 1882 until 1957.

11/24/2025
Our beloved Switzer Covered Bridge is surrounded by water as the Elkhorn continue to rise.
04/05/2025

Our beloved Switzer Covered Bridge is surrounded by water as the Elkhorn continue to rise.

One of Kentucky remaining bridges is getting an overhaul just in the nick of time. Preservation of these unique landmark...
01/26/2024

One of Kentucky remaining bridges is getting an overhaul just in the nick of time. Preservation of these unique landmarks is an important and ever ongoing task. Only 11 bridges remain in our Commonwealth including Switzer, the states offical covered bridge.

If you enjoyed the Bridge festival last year, our entertainment is back in town this weekend at Ama On The Creek. Dont m...
04/24/2023

If you enjoyed the Bridge festival last year, our entertainment is back in town this weekend at Ama On The Creek. Dont miss East Nash Grass this Saturday!

You don't want to miss this! Limited seating available. April 29, 7PM!

Switzer Covered Bridge Day 2022 was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who came out. Join us next year to celebrate thi...
09/25/2022

Switzer Covered Bridge Day 2022 was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who came out. Join us next year to celebrate this historic landmark.

09/24/2022

Switzer Covered Bridge Day 2022, with band East Nash Grass in the shadow of the historic bridge.

Join the fun this Saturday for Switzer Bridge Day with music and more at historic Switzer Bridge. Bring the family and ...
09/21/2022

Join the fun this Saturday for Switzer Bridge Day with music and more at historic Switzer Bridge. Bring the family and enjoy the free live concert.

Join the fun this Saturday for Switzer Bridge Day with music and more at historic Switzer Bridge. Bring the family and ...
09/20/2022

Join the fun this Saturday for Switzer Bridge Day with music and more at historic Switzer Bridge. Bring the family and enjoy the free live concert.

Frankfort is Kentucky Distilled – the essence of everything that makes Kentucky special from her natural charm and beauty to her brains to her world-renowned bourbon, all in one distinctly small but spirited package. The literal and figurative heart of this gracious southern state is the capital c...

06/20/2022

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Frankfort, KY
40601

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