Sometime in January of 2001 several folks gathered to discuss the preservation of two covered bridges in Columbia County. It was learned that the county no longer wanted to maintain these bridges as they were no longer used for traffic. They were in disrepair and needed work and reinforcement. At present, the group is focusing on two bridges, namely the Josiah Hess Bridge on Huntington Creek and the Stillwater Bridge on Big Fishing Creek. The county was about to put them up for sale/auction.

After a couple of meetings and discussion about how to proceed, it was decided to form a Covered Bridge Preservation Association. Officers were named and a committee established to look into forming a non-profit association under the IRS 501c-3, status. In order to apply, the organization had to be incorporated with a set of by-laws and officers.

At the April 4th, 2001 meeting the proposed by-laws were discussed, amended and finally approved. Terms of office were also decided and committee chairmen appointed. The covered bridge logo was presented and adopted. The Incorporation papers were then submitted to the state for approval.

The next step was to apply for the IRS 501c-3 non-profit tax status, This has been sent to the IRS and received its approval . Also required was bonding for officers and insurance coverage for members and volunteers who work on the bridges.

As one means of income, a membership dues schedule was established. On an Annual membership basis. Individual - $5.00, Family - $10.00, Business - $20.00 and Life Member $100.00 who would receive a Life Member certificate for framing.

In addition to the membership fees several membership and fund raising events were undertaken. Booths were set up at the Fishing Creek Watershed Festival in Benton, the Masonic Festival in Orangeville and the Columbia/Montour Covered Bridge and Arts Festival at Knoebels Grove in Elysburg in October. While there, President Chris Young received a donation for $1000.00 from President of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of PA, for which we are very grateful. In September 2001 we held a very successful “Dinner on the Bridge,” a catered dinner, at the Twin Bridges Park at the Village of Forks.
We are actively looking into applying for grants from various sources to help in off-setting the renovation costs and future preservation of the bridges.

Signs were made and information boxes for the brochures were placed on the bridges. These brochures give information about the bridges and provide an application for membership or donations. The Chamber of Commerce has added our organization to their list of local organizations.

The goal of the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association is to restore, preserve and protect the covered bridges of Columbia County for historical and recreational purposes. The two covered bridges, the Stillwater bridge located opposite the former Stillwater Post Office, across Rte. 487; and the Josiah Hess Bridge located about 2 miles West of the intersection of Rte. 487 and Rte. 1020 on the left side of Rte. 1020, are the first two bridges taken on by the Association.

A preliminary assessment was done as to the needed work and repairs to be done. The first effort by the volunteers was to clean up the area around the two bridges, clearing out the underbrush, trees, vines, etc. This effort was begun in June and July, working about 2-3 hours once a week. (Some members actually worked more than that). When the bridges were open to traffic there were steel guard rails placed as a safety measure, these were removed and traditional wooden guard rails were placed to recapture the more historical look. Since time and money were not available to complete any major repairs, temporary structural repairs were done. The Stillwater bridge had a sagging support and a temporary I-beam support was placed to prevent any farther settlement.

Bids were received for replacing the Stillwater Covered Bridge roof and is expected to be completed in early January 2002, weather permitting. It will be of the standing seam, sheet metal design.

By spring there will be picnic tables made and placed in each of the bridges for the publics use. We expect to have the covered bridges operating as a park setting for use of the general public.

On August 15, 2002, the Columbia County Commissioners voted to turn over the deeds to two of the Columbia County Covered Bridges. These are the Josiah Hess Bridge on Huntington Creek in the town of Forks and the Stillwater Bridge on Big Fishing Creek in Stillwater, Pennsylvania.