The Staats Mill Covered Bridge was moved from Staats Mill WVA to Cedar Lakes Park in 1983 - and restored to original specifications. A modern bridge was built in its place in Staats Mill. This is a photo of the bridge on its original site and the Statts Mill post office as it was in 1974. The post office spelled Staats as Statts since they already had a Stoats Mill location, and hand written address could be confused. This was done before ZIP codes were used.

Here is the original Staats Mill Covered bridge in its new location - about 8 miles south of Ripley WVA off Cedar Lakes Road. Signs in the city point to the park making it easy to find. Grandma Staats told me my dad and my uncle (Weinyard & Ken) used to block off one end of the bridge and herd geese into it so they could get them into the wagon to go to market.

Here is a close-up of the interior of the bridge. One of the original advertisements has been restored. During the heyday of covered bridges the interiors were often full of advertisements and hand bills. The protection from the weather offered by the bridge made it a perfect place to post your messages.

This somewhat weathered sign is near the original site of the covered bridge in Staats Mill.  The sign explains the construction details and costs. The picture to the left is a view of the general area of the bridge - no idea what the bell is for (fire?). The sign itself (and bell) stand in front of the old general store.

This is a photo of the old general store taken from camp grounds across the street. The newly re-opened general store also serves as the office for the campground.