Covered Bridges of Ashtabula County Ohio

Our trek takes us east out of Geauga County where we live and finds us heading east on Rt 322. The drive leaves suburban-rural communities behind and transitions into the more rural and open agricultural areas leading to Warner Hollow Rd on our right. We make the turn onto Warner and travel a short distance to, and through the bridge to park on the far side in the parking area.

The Windsor Mills Bridge was originally built in 1867 and renovated from 2002 to 2004.

The area is rather quiet with the sounds of Phelps Creak, a tributary of the Grand River, setting a relaxing venue.

Leaving Windsor Mills Bridge, we head north back to Rt322 and head east again to Rt45. We turn left on to RT45 north. We travel through Orwell, Rome and Morgan Townships. We reach the intersection of Riverdale Road and Rt45 and turn left. It's a short distance to the bridge through pleasant rural settings.

Riverdale Road Bridge was built in 1874, with modifications or replacements taking place in 1945, 1981, and 1987. The bridge sapans 114 ft across the picturesque Grand River.

To get to our next stop, we continued west on Riverdale Road to the intersection of Riverdale and Mechanicsville Road. We turned right and headed north. A pleasant fall drive in the country.

The Mechanicsville Road Bridge is believed to be the oldest of the covered bridges, and was built in 1967. Renovations took place in 2002 through 2004. The bridge spans 156 feet across the Grand River.

Located near the western end of the bridge is believed to be the oldest Tavern in Ashtabula County, and is in operation today.

Leaving the Mechanicsville Road Bridge, we continued north to meet up with RT 307. We took RT 307 east into the Town of Jefferson and had a nice small town lunch in the Jefferson Diner. We then followed RT 307 to East Jefferson Street and headed east to South Denmark. Turning right onto South Denmark, and then turning left onto Netcher Road we arrived at the Netcher Road Bridge.

The Netcher Road Bridge was built in 1998 and spans 110 feet across Mill Creek.

The surrounding area is a mix of farming and rural homesteads located less than two miles east of town.

Leaving the Netcher Road Bridge and heading south on South Denmark Road, we drive a few miles to the South Denmark Road Bridge. The Bridge is now on a secondary road as a new road and bridge was added without the removal of this bridge.

The South Denmark Road Bridge spans 81 feet across Mill Creek and was built in 1890.

The bridge is tucked away on the edge of the wood on one side and a farm on the other.

Our bridge adventure now leads us eastward on Denmark Road to join up with Stanhope Kelloggsville Road where we turned left to head north to Caine Road on the right.

The Caine Road Bridge spans 124 feet of the west branch of the Ashtabula River, and was built in 1986 in time for the counties 175th anniversary. This far upstream the river is quite small and brush has begun to grow up around the sides of the bridge.

We turned around at the Caine Road Bridge and returned to traveling north on Stanhope. Not quite 6 miles we turned right onto Graham Road, crossed the bridge and parked.

The Graham Road Bridge no longer crosses the Ashtabuka River but the remnants of the bridge from the 1913 flood were used to rebuild the bridge which is now a part of a small park. The bridge had spanned 97 feet. The park is well kept and borders the west branch of the Ashtabula River. Steps have been constructed to allow axcess, and a picnic table has been set up inside at the far end overlooking the park and the river.

We again return to Stanhope Kellogsville Road and continue north to Root Road, and the bridge of the same name. The area around this portion of the trip is also rural homesteads and agricultural plots.

The Root Road Bridge spans the Ashtabula River for 114 feet and was built in 1868.

We now continue east on Root Road untill we meet SR 7. Here we head north to Hatches Corners Road where we turn right and follow untill we meet Middle Road, and turn left. The drive is very pleasant and the trees are nearing full fall foliage colors. We seem to be the only ones on the road. At Middle Road Bridge we meet several other couples touring the bridges.

Middle Road Bridge was built in 1868. It spans 136 feet across Conneaut Creek. Most of the area around the bridge is posted, and brush has grown up near the entrances..

After enjoying the Middle Road Bridge and the vast amounts of ladybugs enjoying the sun on this fine fall day, we retraced our steps back to Hatches Corners, and head west to State Road. Turning right at State we head north to the bridge, and park before the bridge.

The State Road Bridge was constructed in 1983 across the 152 feet span of the Conneaut Creek. The annual Covered Bridge Festival originated from the 1983 dedication of this bridge.

We continue our journey north across the bridge , turn right onto South Ridge Road, then left onto Keefus Road, and finally turn left onto Creek Road. We parked prior to the bridge and only visited the western side as two stealhead fisherman were working the trough downriver of the bridge. This is Conneaut Creek, a well know stealhead fishing stream.

The Creek Road Bridge spans Conneaut Creek for 125 feet. However, the date of construction is unknown.

While taking photos of Creek Road Bridge, we viewed a Heron in the creek and watched in the silence as this almost prehistoric bird slowly moved and hunted small fish. The only sounds we heard was the small riffle upstream of the bridge.

Leaving Creek Road Bridge behind, we continued on Creek Road, now traveling through more suburban areas of Conneaut, joined RT 84 and continued on to Dibble Road. Here we turned left, followed the road to Plymouth Ridge Road, turned left and then a right onto Benetka Road. We are now traveling through more rural homesteads.

Benetka Road Bridge, built about 1900 spans the Ashtabula River for a distance of 138 feet.

Retracing our steps back to Dibble heading north we reach Dewey Road and turn left. Small hobby farms and relaxing rural home sites greet you on this portion of the trek.

Olin Bridge, named for the Olin family, who still reside on property bordering the bridge, is the only bridge named as such and not for the road it is on. Constructed in 1973,it's 115 foot length joins the two sides of the Ashtabula River.

We continue on our way on Dewey Road, joining with Plymouth Ridge Road heading westward. Arrive at the intersection with RT 46 and turn right. Going downhill there is a parking area on the right, as you are greeted with the sight of the Smolen-Gulf Bridge.

The Smolen-Gulf Bridge is recent construction, built in 2008, it spans the Ashtabula River for a 613 foot distance, making it the longest covered bridge in the U.S.

We leave Smolen, and head south on RT 46, enjoying the rural beauty on our way to Griggs Road where we turn left, and then turn right onto Giddings Road. The area north of the bridge is farmland. South is smaller rural properties.

The Giddings Road Bridge was built in 1995 a crosses Mill Creek for a distance of 107 feet. The creek here is rather picturesque, with the fall foliage and the several riffles downstream.

Continuing south on Giddings, we meet up with RT 167 and turn right. Rt 167 meets with RT 307 at the intersection of RT 46. We continued on Rt 307, and turned right onto Doyle Road. Heading north, we arrive at the bridge.

The Doyle Road Bridge crosses Mill Creek for a distance of 94 feet, and was built in 1868.

We depart Doyle Road Bridge and return to Rt 307, turn right and head west to our final destination. When RT 307 intersects Harpersfield Road, we turn left, and follow the road into the valley, past the park, over the bridge, to the parking area on the south side.

The Harpersfield Road Bridge, listed on the Mational Register of Historic Places, spans the Grand River for 228 feet and was built in 1868. The flood of 1913 changed the channel of the river, and the steel extension was added. The area around the bridge is part of the Counties Metro park, and the waters are a nice place to fish.