The Enduring Allure of Ohio’s Covered Bridges

There is something about covered bridges that is charming, enchanting, even romantic. They occupy a storied place in America’s history and were central to the plot of the 1995 Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep film, The Bridges of Madison County, based off the best-selling book of the same name.

There are 115 historic covered bridges in Ohio, most dating back to the 19th century. The oldest of these idyllic structures was erected in 1835. At one point, covered bridges provided the only means for crossing streams and small rivers. Though many have disappeared with time, those remaining preserve the state’s heritage.

As Woolpert’s Director of Road and Bridge Design, I have performed 32 covered bridge restoration projects, including everything from cosmetic touch-ups to entire reconstructions. I began rehabilitating covered bridges more than 20 years ago, and over the course of the last two decades, I’ve gained the special knowledge it takes to properly maintain them and nurse dilapidated structures back to health.

Today’s bridges are built using modern materials such as concrete, steel, fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) and stainless steel. What gives old-fashioned covered bridges their captivating allure is their handsome and inviting timber construction.