The Bridges of Ashtabula County, Ohio

There are 19 covered bridges in Ashtabula County, so we took a day and drove around and visited 12 of them. There are 13 in the North and Eastern Tour; and six in the South and Western Tour. We just drove the North and Eastern Tour, beginning at Bridge No. 1 (Netcher). At our half way point in Conneaut, we stopped for lunch before finishing the tour. Ashtabula County is in Ohio's northeast corner and is considered the covered bridge capital of the state. 

The bridge I feature here is the Smolen-Gulf (No. 11) bridge. It is the longest covered bridge in the United States at 613 feet long and stands 93 feet above the Ashtabula River. Built in 2008, it has a life expectancy of 100 years.

Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge

The earliest documented covered bridges date back to 1867 and 1868, but not all are over a century old. There is only one pedestrian bridge in this tour which was built in 2016 -- the Riverview (No. 13). It is located in Indian Trails Park beneath the Smolen-Gulf bridge.

Riverview Covered Bridge

Many have wondered why the bridges are covered, and have speculated that it was to provide shelter during inclement weather or to prevent horses from being afraid of crossing the water. Actually, the real reason is to protect the structure supporting the bridge. Without protection from the elements, the wooden timbers supporting the bridge would decay and eventually collapse. By keeping them dry, the bridges last much longer. Only 17 bridges are still operational, allowing vehicle traffic year-round.

North & Eastern Covered Bridge Tour

Netcher Covered Bridge

The Netcher (No. 1) bridge spans Mill Creek and was opened to traffic in 1999. It features a timber arch with inverted Haupt trusses. The "Neo Victorian" designed structure is 110 feet long and 14'6" high.

South Denmark Covered Bridge

The South Denmark (No. 2) bridge is one of the oldest bridges, built in 1890. Its design is a Town Lattice and spans Mill Creek. It's 81 feet long.

Caine Covered Bridge

The Caine (No. 3) covered bridge was the first Pratt Truss bridge in Ohio built in 1986 in honor of the County's 175th anniversary. The 124 foot long bridge traverses the west branch of the Ashtabula River.

Graham Road Covered Bridge

The Graham Road (No. 4) bridge was built from remnants of a bridge that was washed downstream in the 1913 flood. The bridge now sits in Benson Family Park.

Root Covered Bridge

The Root (No. 5) bridge is a Town Lattice built in 1868. It is 114 feet long, and was raised 18" during the rehabilitation in 1982-83. New laminated girders and a center concrete pier were also added. 

Middle Covered Bridge

The Middle (No. 6) bridge is a 136 feet long Howe Truss bridge, built in 1868 over Conneaut Creek. It was rehabilitated in 1984. 

State Road Covered Bridge

The State (No. 7) bridge contains 97,000 feet of southern pine and oak. It was erected in 1983 across Conneaut Creek. It is a 152 feet long Town Lattice bridge and has a 4 foot opening that spans the length.

Creek Covered Bridge

The Creek (No. 8) bridge is 125 feet long constructed in Town Lattice style. Its construction date is unknown. It sits 25 feet above Conneaut Creek and was renovated in 1994.

Benetka Covered Bridge

The Benetka (No. 9) is a 138 foot long Town Lattice with arch bridge. It was built about 1900 and was renovated in 1985 when a laminated arch spanning the length of the bridge was added.

Olins Covered Bridge

The Olins have owned property next to the bridge since it was built in 1873. The 115 foot long Town Lattice structure is over the Ashtabula River and was renovated in 1985. The Olins also have a museum dedicated to its namesake as well as the other covered bridges of Ashtabula County.

Giddings Covered Bridge

The Giddings (No. 13) Bridge is a Pratt Truss construction. It was built in 1995 and is 107 feet long. It crosses Mill Creek in Jefferson. This bridge ended the North & Eastern Tour. 

Jim said that since he accompanied me on the covered bridge tour, now it's his turn for a wine and beer tour. Ashtabula County is also known for its wineries, with about 23 wineries in the area. I doubt we cover all of them.



Quote for the Day: “The Minotaur comes and goes. He has for centuries. And there have been many bridges.... The Minotaur pauses, as he walks, midway through the covered bridge that serves, in more ways than one, as the entrance to Old Scald Village. He rests his heavy snout against one of the wooden trusses. The Minotaur likes this portal, both ingress and egress, a breach in the terribly human construct of time.” ― Steven Sherrill, The Minotaur Takes His Own Sweet Time