NEWS

Parks district adds Misty Valley Farms, bridges

Carl Burnett Jr.
Reporter

SUGAR GROVE – The preservation of covered bridges in Fairfield County recently got a boost when the Fairfield County Historical Parks District acquired 14 acres of land that includes two covered bridges.

"The Pierson family has always been very supportive of our county parks, and they offered to sell us this land for $150,000," said David Fey, the district's director. "They also gave us the option of splitting the payments over two years."

The property, called Misty Valley Farms, is on Sullivan Road in southeastern Fairfield County.

"It has great historical significance to our area, not only because of the bridges, but also because of the canyon it is located in was once a site for the ancients," Fey said.

The two bridges that are part of the property are the Shade and Mae Hummel covered bridges.

The Shade Burr truss bridge was built in 1871 and originally spanned Walnut Creek.

"It was moved to the Pierson property and rebuilt," Fey said. "It spans 122 feet and is the longest surviving bridge in the county."

The Mae Hummel covered bridge was built in 1875 with a Smith truss and a single 10-ply Burr arch extending the length of the bridge. Originally, the 35-foot bridge spanned Rush Creek.

Both bridges were taken apart and moved to Misty Valley Farms.

The property also has the former Stage Coach Inn, which Fey says hopes to turn into a living museum that would accurately and historically resemble a stage coach inn from the period.

"They were pretty spartan back then," Fey said. "We weren't planning on acquiring property this year, but this deal has historical significance."

Fey said the area's remoteness and beauty lends itself to hiking trails.

"But it will be a while until we can get to that," Fey said. "We are working on a number of other projects right now that have priority. But this property is very significant addition to our parks."

cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4346

@CarlBurnettJr