Ashland Bridge – Wilmington, Delaware - Atlas Obscura
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Ashland Bridge

Wilmington, Delaware

The smallest and oldest covered bridge in Delaware.  

Ashland Bridge View all photos
Ashland Bridge
Ashland Bridge
Interior truss work of Ashland Bridge. blimpcaptain (Atlas Obscura User)
Ashland Bridge
Ashland Covered Bridge blimpcaptain (Atlas Obscura User)
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Ashland Bridge, also known as Barley Mill Road Covered Bridge, was built in 1860 and was originally one of 13 bridges that spanned Red Clay Creek.

It’s the smallest of the three remaining covered bridges in Delaware, all of which are located in New Castle County. While the original Smith’s and Wooddale Bridges were both built before Ashland Bridge, the former two have been rebuilt, making Ashland Bridge the oldest, original bridge in Wilmington.

On at least three occasions, this diminutive Delaware bridge has been closed down due to damage from oversized trucks. In 2021, the bridge was damaged by debris that slammed into it during Hurricane Ida. This resulted in a six-week closure in 2023, but as of August, the bridge was re-opened to traffic.

Know Before You Go

Directly adjacent to Ashland Bridge is the beautiful Ashland Nature Center, home to more than three miles of hiking trails.


Ashland Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 20, 1973.

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September 8, 2023
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