The name of Bart Township apparently comes from a reinterpretation of the abbreviation "Bart" for "Baronet". This abbreviation was used by former Colonial Governor Sir William Keith, Bart. After being forced out of the Governorship by Hannah Penn, Sir William Keith, Bart, won election as a Assemblyman in Philadelphia. In March 1728, Sir William Keith, Bart left Pennsylvania in a hurry-he was running out on this debts. He left for England, never to return. He abandoned his wife, Lady Keith, who is buried in Christ Church Cemetery in Philadelphia. What is now Bart Township was part of Sadsbury, Chester County before the formation of Lancaster County. In 1744, Sadsbury Township was split into two, the western part was organized as Bart Township and the eastern part remained Sadsbury Township. In 1854, Bart Township was split into two, with the western part organized as Eden Township, and the eastern part remaining Bart Township.

Historic Jackson's Sawmill Bridge Built in 1878

Historic Jackson's Sawmill Covered Bridge

In April 1867, Bart Township residents petitioned for the construction of this covered bridge at the place where the "highway leading from the Valley road to Bartville crosses the said creek… near Boon & Harley's Mill.” The bridge was finally built in 1878 by Samuel Stauffer and stone mason John R. Smith at a total cost of $2,410.00. County Commissioners met here in November 1878 to inspect the finished bridge and reported that some of the timbers and stone wing walls were not in "exact accord” with specifications. David W. Jackson purchased the Boon & Harley Mill in 1870 and operated his own mill near this bridge for many years. This bridge was swept away by floods on July 1, 1985 and carried several hundred feet downstream. It was rebuilt by the County several weeks later. Jackson's Mill Bridge is the only covered bridge in Lancaster County not originally built perpendicular to the stream it crosses. It is one of only two bridges in Lancaster County built by Samuel Stauffer.

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