The bridge's arched design was created without the use of a kingpost or queenpost truss system, which was standard for the era.
It was specifically designed with a hump to allow floodwaters and debris to pass underneath during high water events.
The structure served as part of the James River and Kanawha Turnpike, a vital early 19th-century transportation route.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The bridge was abandoned to traffic in 1929 when a new bridge was built nearby, yet it remained standing due to its durability.
The Historic Humpback Covered Bridge is the oldest remaining covered bridge in Virginia, constructed in 1835. It features a unique arched design where the center of the span sits four feet higher than the ends, which was intended to improve drainage and resist floods. Spanning 109 feet across Dunlap Creek, the bridge served as a major crossing point on the Midland Trail for over 90 years. It was bypassed in 1929 by a modern concrete bridge, leading to its eventual preservation by the state. The structure is built from local timber and sits within a roadside park maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Its distinctive arch design differentiates it from the typical truss-based covered bridges found elsewhere in the United States.
From the creek bank below the bridge to capture the full arched profile against the sky.
Bring a picnic to utilize the tables provided in the surrounding wayside park.
Visit during the fall months to see the bridge framed by vibrant Virginia foliage.
Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to walk down to the creek bank for a low-angle perspective.
Do not attempt to drive a vehicle across the bridge, as it is strictly for pedestrian use.
