Berks County is a wildly historic and interesting place, with deep cultural roots in European immigrants. This rural and agricultural region may be unassuming at first glance, but centuries of rich lineages are hiding in plain sight. Visitors and tourists will find that they can enjoy entire days of exploration, taking steps back into a simpler time.

Self-guided driving tours are an excellent way of exploring the area. Berks County is home to numerous covered bridges and historically protected barns that are adorned with “hex” artwork. If you’re interested in exploring this county at your pace and soaking in rustic charm and history, these two features make for excellent touring. Let’s look at how you can make your Berk’s County trip as eventful as possible.

Beautiful Covered Bridges Take You Back in Time

Wooden-covered bridges were once widespread across 19th-century America. Over time they were exposed to harsh weather and frequent use, contributing to their deterioration. Many of these covered bridges are no longer standing, but there have been recent historical movements to protect them.

Berks County is a mecca for these remaining bridges. In fact, there are five beautiful variations spread across the region. Making a day out of visiting each one is an excellent driving tour idea. Each bridge has its own unique history and feel to it, and there is no experience quite like driving through them, hearing the squeaking of the wooden trusts and the rumble of the planks under your tires.

Be sure to stop by all of them:

  • Dreibelbis Bridge: Built in 1869 for a total cost of $6,000, it was designed to help transport wagons across Maiden Creek to reach Virginville or Lenhartsville.
  • Griesemer’s Mill Bridge: At 124 feet long, this bridge is thought to be the oldest in Berks County. It features a gable roof and stone abutments, making it equally charming as it is antique.
  • Kutz’s Mill Bridge: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, this 93-foot-long bridge crosses Saucony Creek.
  • Pleasantville Bridge: Still owned and operated by the state of Pennsylvania, this 128 ft long, 16 ft wide has since been refurbished and remains a function bridge in excellent condition.
  • Wertz Red Bridge: Although permanently closed to vehicle traffic in 1959, this 220-foot covered bridge is the longest single-span bridge in Berks County.

Explore the Unique Barn Artwork of the Pennsylvania Dutch

After spending a day exploring all the unique and ancestral covered bridges, consider taking a farm tour of all the barns in Berks County that feature hex artwork. This art style is unique to Pennsylvania and was started by German immigrants in the mid-1800s. The affordability of paint during this period made many farmers get in touch with their artistic side, painting these symbolic pieces on their barn “just for nice”, as the legend of an old Pennsylvania German farmer says.

Contact the Top Berks County Moving Company to Start Planning Your Relocation

Take one trip to Berks County and you will be inspired to relocate to the area. Should you decide to move here, O’Brien’s Moving and Storage are hands down the best movers in Berks County PA.

We’ve been in business since 1928, are rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and have impeccable local reviews from the community.

Our Berks County movers proudly offer:

If you could benefit from our help, get in touch with a representative today for your free quote!