2024 Covered Bridge PUZZLES ARE HERE!
The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau’s 14th annual Covered Bridge puzzle showcases the Johnson Bridge in Columbia County. The new puzzles are available for the general public on a first-come, first-served basis until sold out. Puzzles are sold for $18, tax included. A $2 donation from every puzzle sold will be made by the Bureau to the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association. Very small quantities of 2022 and 2023 puzzles (featuring the Parr’s Mill Covered Bridge and the Jud Christian Covered Bridge respectively) still remain available for purchase as well. Once the puzzles are sold out, they are never re-printed. Puzzles may be purchased in person at the Visitors Bureau Welcome Center, located at 121 Papermill Road in Bloomsburg during normal business hours (Monday – Friday; 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM). Puzzles are also available to be shipped anywhere in the continental United States for an additional shipping charge. Mail orders may be placed by calling the Welcome Center at 570-784-8279. This year’s puzzle photo was taken by Tony Berard, who was honored earlier this year as the 2024 Covered Bridge photo contest winner. The Johnson Covered Bridge was built in 1882 by Daniel Stine. Stine built this three-panel Queenpost truss bridge for approximately $750. The Johnson Bridge is 61 feet long and spans Mugser Run in Cleveland Township, just east of Knoebels Amusement Resort and west of Numidia. The bridge’s namesake is most likely Adam M. Johnson, a farmer who owned the land where the bridge is located. Johnson also owned a boot and shoe store near this site. It is believed the bridge was originally built to provide a safer crossing of Mugser Run to reach his farm and store.
And a reminder that an easy way to visit the historic covered bridges of Columbia & Montour Counties is through the Visitors Bureau’s free mobile passport program that allows users to “check-in” at each bridge using their phone’s GPS proximity. The program offers directions and more information about each bridge along the way. Once travelers have used their passport to check-in at 13 bridges, they will receive a free commemorative patch as well as a handmade wooden replica ornament of the West Paden Twin Covered Bridge in Orangeville. If users complete all 25 bridge visits prior to December 31 of this year, they will also be entered in a grand prize drawing for an overnight getaway package in Columbia County as well as a piece of original artwork from area artist Pam Thomas. Those interested in signing up for the free passport may do so by visiting the Visitors Bureau’s website and navigating to the “Covered Bridges” page.
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