Drive-By
Bridge Crossing & Photo Stop
Drive through or photograph the historic 1865 Jericho Covered Bridge near Jerusalem Mill in Gunpowder Falls State Park.
- Duration:
- 20 min
Photo coming soon
Outdoor / Natural Site
Jericho Covered Bridge
An 1865 Burr-truss covered bridge over the Little Gunpowder Falls near Kingsville, Maryland, the last of its kind in the area and one of the state's most famous haunted bridges, ringed by grim lynching and apparition legends.
12228 Jericho Road, Kingsville, MD 21087
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
A public one-lane covered bridge open to traffic, near Jerusalem Mill in Gunpowder Falls State Park. Free to cross or view.
Access
Limited Access
Narrow single-lane wooden covered bridge over a creek; nearby trails
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1865 · The last covered bridge in Harford/Baltimore Counties (built 1865) · Burr-truss span built by Baltimore machinist Thomas F. Forsyth · Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1978) · Located near the historic Jerusalem Mill in Gunpowder Falls State Park
Following petitions from residents of Harford and Baltimore Counties in early 1864, the Maryland legislature authorized a bridge across the Little Gunpowder Falls, and on July 5, 1865, the contract was awarded to a Baltimore machinist named Thomas F. Forsyth for $3,125. The resulting Jericho Covered Bridge is a Burr-truss structure about 88 feet long and roughly 15 feet wide, carrying Jericho Road across the creek about 300 yards downstream from the historic Jerusalem Mill.
The bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in Harford or Baltimore Counties and one of only a small number left in Maryland. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 13, 1978, and remains open to one-lane vehicle traffic within Gunpowder Falls State Park.
Its narrow wooden interior, creekside setting, and surrounding woods give the bridge a striking, atmospheric character that has made it a magnet for local legend. Note that the bridge's 1865 construction date postdates both the Civil War and the abolition of slavery in Maryland, a fact relevant to evaluating the historical accuracy of some legends attached to it.
Sources
- http://www.gribblenation.org/2022/01/jericho-covered-bridge-kingsville.html
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/jericho-covered-bridge-maryland
- https://www.visitharford.com/listing/jericho-covered-bridge/39/
- https://preservationmaryland.org/friday-the-13th-2016-haunted-maryland/
Reflection of a swinging body in the rear-view mirror at night (per legend)Cars stalling on the bridgeApparition of a girl carrying flowersApparition of a woman with a burned faceAn animal-like 'guardian' presence
The bridge's haunted reputation is documented across many regional sources, from Preservation Maryland and Atlas Obscura to local paranormal sites and student journalism. The darkest and most repeated legend holds that lynchings took place at the bridge during and after the Civil War, with victims said to have been hanged from the upper rafters; the signature manifestation is the reflection of a swinging body seen in a rear-view mirror by those who stop their car on the span late at night.
It is important to treat this lynching legend with care and honesty. There is no documented historical record of lynchings at the Jericho bridge, and the structure was not built until 1865, after the end of slavery in Maryland, which is inconsistent with the common framing of the story. The legend appears to be folklore that draws on the real and painful history of racial violence in America rather than a recorded event at this site; it is presented here as an uncorroborated legend, not as fact, and without sensationalizing the suffering it invokes.
Other, lighter strands of the bridge's lore describe a girl seen carrying a basket of flowers, a woman with a badly burned face, stalled cars that will not restart for several minutes, and an animal-like guardian creature said to protect the bridge from unwanted visitors. These too are folkloric and unverified, offered as the bridge's well-known oral tradition.
Notable Entities
The swinging figure (lynching legend)The flower-carrying girlThe woman with the burned face
Media Appearances
- Atlas Obscura
- Preservation Maryland 'Haunted Maryland'
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jericho Covered Bridge family-friendly?
A scenic historic bridge with nearby state-park trails. Some legends reference lynching and racial violence; parents may wish to provide historical context for younger children. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Jericho Covered Bridge?
A public one-lane covered bridge open to traffic, near Jerusalem Mill in Gunpowder Falls State Park. Free to cross or view. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Jericho Covered Bridge wheelchair accessible?
Jericho Covered Bridge has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Narrow single-lane wooden covered bridge over a creek; nearby trails.