Leaman Place Bridge

Leaman Place Bridge is a typical Lancaster County bridge in a very pretty farm setting near the Pennsylvania Dutch tourist area, but somehow just beyond it. At Leaman Place Bridge, you might forget commercialization roadside attractions, if only for a moment -- but there are a lot of visitors to keep you company in your reverie, many with out-of-state licenses. Remember to be respectful -- after all, the peace and solitude that make this wonderful place what it is can be destroyed by tourism, too, if we let it be.

At Leaman Place Bridge, Pequea Creek marks the boundary between Paradise and Leacock townships -- and to the left, you see the township line marker, just in the middle of the bridge.

The stone house just beyond the bridge now houses a wood-carving shop. The carver, Mr. Earl R. Houck, is the bridge's guardian angel. Evans and Evans record the carved scroll sign he placed there, which has since been removed because of wear. (Thanks to Carol Felpel, his daughter, for information by e-mail). The sign said:

Paradise Bridge
At Leamon Place
Situated on the Pequea
Creek between Paradise
and Leacock Township.
Built in 1894
September of 1712 Mary
Ferree and family settled
in area having been
granted this land by
William Penn.
The Pequaws Indians
who lived here then were
friendly.
As then and now
through God's help the
people have prospered.
Earl A. Houck

It seems likely that Pequea Creek was named after the Pequaws (Pequea?) band.

Length: 113 ft.
Width: 15 ft.
Built 1893
Builder: Elias McMellan
Truss: Burr
Stream: Pequea Creek
Traffic: yes
Alternative name: Paradise Bridge, Eshelman's Mill Bridge
WGCB Number: 38-36-20
Parking: Pull-offs on the right on both sides of the bridge

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