Grist Mill and Covered Bridges

3-7 Jun 2026

I spent a few days near Newport PA at Little Buffalo State Park. The area is known for the many covered bridges. This is a short entry as I was only there three days and one of those was raining like crazy.

Shoaff's Grist Mill

Had a great campsite at Little Buffalo State Park

There were honeysuckle vines along the edge of my campsite that smelled so good. Yes, I did pick a few and sucked the nectar out. I remember doing that as a child and it brought back some good memories.

Clay's Bridge and Shoaff's Grist Mill is inside Little Buffalo State Park.

Clay's Covered Bridge was built in 1890 and originally crossed Little Buffalo Creek about a mile west of this location.

Shoaff's Mill was built in the mid 1830s and sold to William H. Shoaff in 1849. The Shoaff family ground wheat, buckwheat and corn until the 1940s.

Examples of mill stones

Blacksmith tools and apple press inside the mill

The mill stones upstairs

Chute the grain went through to the grinding stones

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Memorabilia from the mill

The area around Newport PA has about 14 covered bridges. I didn't have time to visit them all but here are a few. I love covered bridges, they're just so charming.

Kochenderfer Covered Bridge built in 1919 measures 71 feet long and spans Big Buffalo Creek

Saville Covered Bridge is 60 feet long and also spans Big Buffalo Creek. You can still drive across this one.

Can you tell I'm in Amish country?

Pomeroy-Academia Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in the state. It spans 278 feet and spans over Tuscarora Creek. It's closed to vehicle traffic but you can walk across it.

Inside the bridge we found this bell. It's part of Bells Across Pennsylvania in commemoration of America's 250th birthday. There are 120 custom painted 3-foot fiberglass replica Liberty Bells all across the state.

We signed the visitor log book for the bell

Pomeroy-Academia Bridge from the river

Of course Sage had to take a dip in the river. This girl loves the water.

Lastly, is Lehman's Bridge. Built about 1858 over Licking Creek, it's about 108 feet long and is now privately owned.

I wish I'd had more time to explore this area but the weather did not cooperate. Next time we will be in upstate New York. Can't wait to share it with you.