My Genealogy Hound

Covington, Virginia, Humpback Covered Bridge, vintage postcard photo

A vintage postcard of the Humpback Covered Bridge on U. S. 60 near Covington, Virginia. This postcard was postmarked in 1942.

The text from the back of the postcard: "One of the most interesting things that catches the eye of tourists, as they pass through the Alleghany Mountains of Virginia, is the Old Humpback Bridge, which is located near Covington, VA., on the Midland Trail, from Hot Springs, VA., to White Sulphur, was built in the year 1842 by the pioneers who settled in Alleghany County, and stands today a memorial to their wonderful skill in bridge building. This bridge is constructed of hewn oak, and is held together by heavy locust pins. Thousands of automobiles and heavy trucks pass over the bridge yearly, and it promises to last many more years, as it is considered to be one of the strongest wooden bridges in Alleghany County."

Note: Other sources state that this bridge was built in 1857. Three previous bridges served this river crossing between the years of the 1820's to 1856. A modern steel bridge was constructed nearby in 1929 which halted traffic over this bridge. The Humpback Covered Bridge still exists and is now the centerpiece of a park at this location.