OUR BRIDGES
Welcome to Ashtabula County, Ohio. We are glad you have come to see and learn about our Historic Covered Bridges. They are of five types: Howe truss, Pratt truss, Town lattice truss, Burr Arch, and Inverted Haupt truss.
Each of the Covered Bridges may be seen via a driving tour. Please download a Tour Map.
Check out the Covered Bridge Trail.
If you would like the tour map mailed to you please send a self addressed stamped #10 business envelope for each map request to the Covered Bridge Festival at 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH 44047
View the Bridges on Google Maps.
Netcher Road
South Denmark Road
South Denmark Road
The bridge is constructed over Mill Creek in Jefferson Township, and it features a timber arch with inverted Haupt walls. The Neo Victorian design structure is 110 feet long, 22-feet wide, and 14-feet, six inches high. Construction started in 1998, and it was funded by an ODOT Timber Grant.
South Denmark Road
South Denmark Road
South Denmark Road
Photo Credit: Joy Detrick
Built in 1890, this Town lattice bridge spans Mill Creek. The 81-foot structure was bypassed in 1975, but is easily accessible.
Caine Road
South Denmark Road
Caine Road
This first Pratt truss bridge in Ohio was built in 1986 in honor of Ashtabula County's 175th Anniversary. The 124-foot long bridge traverses the west branch of the Ashtabula River in Pierpont Twp.
Graham Road
Graham Road
Graham Road
Photo Credit: Diane Rock
The Graham Road Bridge, which was built from remnants of a bridge washed downstream in the 1913 flood, now sits in a small park on the south side of the road. The 97-foot Town Truss was over the west branch of the Ashtabula River in Pierpont Township.
Root Road
Graham Road
Graham Road
Photo Credit: ©2003 Homefryes
A 114-foot Town lattice built in 1868, Root crosses the Ashtabula River. It was raised 18 inches during the rehabilitation in 1982/83, and new laminated girders and a center concrete pier were added.
Middle Road
Graham Road
Middle Road
Photo Credit: Don Watson
This 136-foot Howe truss bridge was built in 1868 over Conneaut Creek, which is the longest river in eastern Ashtabula County. It was reconstructed in 1984 with the help of three volunteers and four college students.
State Road
Benetka Road
State Road
Photo Credit: Joy Detrick
Containing 97,000 feet of southern pine and oak, the State Road Bridge was erected in 1983 across Conneaut Creek. The 152-foot Town lattice span was the first covered bridge designed and built by County Engineer John Smolen, Jr. A four-foot tall window extends the length of the bridge showing the Town l
Photo Credit: Joy Detrick
Containing 97,000 feet of southern pine and oak, the State Road Bridge was erected in 1983 across Conneaut Creek. The 152-foot Town lattice span was the first covered bridge designed and built by County Engineer John Smolen, Jr. A four-foot tall window extends the length of the bridge showing the Town lattice construction. The dedication of the bridge in 1983 was the forerunner of the Covered Bridge Festival.
Creek Road
Benetka Road
State Road
The construction date of this 125-foot Town lattice bridge is unknown. It sits 25 feet above the Conneaut Creek and was extensively renovated in 1994.
Photo Credit: Rich McBride
Benetka Road
Benetka Road
Benetka Road
Photo Credit: Jim Reuschling
A 138-foot Town lattice with Arch bridge, Benetka was built about 1900 spanning the Ashtabula River. It was renovated in 1985. A laminated arch 9-inches wide and 38-inches thick was added to the length of the bridge.
Olin Bridge
Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Photo Credit: Jim Reuschling
Located on Dewey Road in Plymouth Township, Olin is the bridge named for a family. The Olin's have owned property next to the bridge since it was built in 1873. The 115 foot Town lattice structure over the Ashtabula River was renovated in 1985.
Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Photo Credit: Carole Klaue
The bridge is located on State Road (County Road #25) in Plymouth and Ashtabula Townships and was dedicated on August 26, 2008.
Planning for the project began in 1995 when the annual bridge inspection showed severe deterioration of the existing iron bridge. John Smolen, then the Ashtabula County Engin
Photo Credit: Carole Klaue
The bridge is located on State Road (County Road #25) in Plymouth and Ashtabula Townships and was dedicated on August 26, 2008.
Planning for the project began in 1995 when the annual bridge inspection showed severe deterioration of the existing iron bridge. John Smolen, then the Ashtabula County Engineer, was very concerned about improving the road alignment as well as the replacement of the deficient bridge. Preliminary engineering of the road realignment left a 600 foot gap to be spanned. Application was made for Federal funds allocated for bridges and in 2000 the County was awarded the amount of $5 million. From 2001 through 2005 plans and specifications were developed, environmental studies and documents were prepared, additional road rights-of-way were secured, and wetland mitigation was completed. The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer permits were obtained.
Construction began mid-summer of 2006 with land clearing and earthen work. From August 2006 to July 2007, 171,000 cubic yards of earth were moved into place to provide the roadway to the new structure. The bridge piers and abutments comprised 7,000,000 pounds of concrete and nearly on-half million pounds of steel were used for reinforcement. The timber structure used 51,000 cubic feet of lumber or 613,000 board feet. This was enough wood to cover an entire football field to a thickness of 13 inches. Ashtabula County Highway Department crews constructed the block retaining wall, performed seeding and mulching, and installed storm drainage and various other construction components.
The bridge is of Pratt Truss construction. The stain used on the bridge is called Olympus Green. There is a five foot wide covered walkway on each side of the bridge. The bridge is the longest covered bridge in the United States at 613 feet. It boasts a clear width of 30’ and a clear height of 14’6”. It stands 93’ above the Ashtabula River. The bridge will support full legal loads, including 80,000 pound tractor-trailer traffic and has a life expectancy of over 100 years.
The engineering and structural design was performed by John Smolen, former County Engineer and the architectural design was done by Timothy Martin, current Ashtabula County Engineer.
You can watch a Youtube video of the construction.
Riverview Bridge
Smolen-Gulf Bridge
Riverview Bridge
Photo Credit: Candy Felege
The new pedestrian covered bridge is 150 feet long and 14 feet wide. It is of Pratt truss, like Smolen Gulf Bridge, and was designed by Smolen Engineering. It sits below Smolen Bridge in Indian Trails Park. It was dedicated on Oct 4th, 2016.
Giddings Road
Liberty Street
Giddings Road
Photo Credit: Walter Gunter
Pratt truss construction was used for this 107-foot bridge built in 1995 with funding from an ODOT Timber Grant. It crosses Mill Creek in Jefferson Twp.
Doyle Road
Liberty Street
Giddings Road
Photo Credit: Bill Painter
A 94-foot long Town lattice bridge built in 1868. Doyle spans Mill Creek. Mill Creek is a tributary of the Grand River. This bridge was renovated in 1987 when a laminated arch was added.
Liberty Street
Liberty Street
Liberty Street
Photo Credit: Michele Victor
Liberty Street Bridge is located on West Liberty Street just west of Rt. 534 in Geneva. It's 18' span carries traffic across Cowles Creek. Completed in 2011 it became known as Liberty Bridge and it is the shortest covered bridge open to traffic in the US. It was constructed by the A-Tech school who
Photo Credit: Michele Victor
Liberty Street Bridge is located on West Liberty Street just west of Rt. 534 in Geneva. It's 18' span carries traffic across Cowles Creek. Completed in 2011 it became known as Liberty Bridge and it is the shortest covered bridge open to traffic in the US. It was constructed by the A-Tech school who also constructed a small toll booth similar to what covered bridges had during pioneer days.
Harpersfield
Mechanicsville Road
Mechanicsville Road
This two-span Howe truss bridge is 228-feet long, use to be the longest covered bridge in Ohio. It spans the Grand River, which is the primary drainage channel of western Ashtabula County. The bridge was built in 1868 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the County Metro Park it is a great plac
This two-span Howe truss bridge is 228-feet long, use to be the longest covered bridge in Ohio. It spans the Grand River, which is the primary drainage channel of western Ashtabula County. The bridge was built in 1868 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Located in the County Metro Park it is a great place to picnic. A flood in 1913 washed soil away from the north end of the bridge and changed the river channel. The steel bridge was then attached. A walkway was added in 1991-92 when the bridge was renovated.
Mechanicsville Road
Mechanicsville Road
Mechanicsville Road
Photo Credit: Michele Victor
The second longest single-span Covered Bridge in Ashtabula County, this 156 ft. Howe truss with arch was built over Grand River in 1867. The arch is 15 layers of 2 x 8 lumber encased by large beams which form the X's of the Howe truss. Believed to be the oldest of the County's covered bridges. This
Photo Credit: Michele Victor
The second longest single-span Covered Bridge in Ashtabula County, this 156 ft. Howe truss with arch was built over Grand River in 1867. The arch is 15 layers of 2 x 8 lumber encased by large beams which form the X's of the Howe truss. Believed to be the oldest of the County's covered bridges. This bridge was renovated in 2003-2004 and was once again opened to traffic in the spring of 2004.
Riverdale
Mechanicsville Road
Riverdale
This 114-foot Town lattice bridge sits high above the Grand River. It was built in 1874. The floor was rebuilt in 1981 and glue-laminated wood girders were added. Center steel bracing had been replaced under the bridge in 1945. The road at the east end of the bridge washed out in 1987, and a new concrete abutment was built for added support.
Windsor Mills
Photo Credit: Michele Victor
Located in a very picturesque area of the county, Windsor Mills Bridge spans Phelps Creek, a tributary of the Grand River. Built in 1867, the Town lattice sits atop cut stone abutments with unique center supports. One is of sandstone quarried nearby. The other, in contrast, is made from creek stone.
Photo Credit: Michele Victor
Located in a very picturesque area of the county, Windsor Mills Bridge spans Phelps Creek, a tributary of the Grand River. Built in 1867, the Town lattice sits atop cut stone abutments with unique center supports. One is of sandstone quarried nearby. The other, in contrast, is made from creek stone. Windsor Mills Bridge is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This bridge was renovated in 2002-2004 and was once again opened to traffic in the spring of 2004.
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