Covered Bridges

The Bridges of Union County

In June 2007, two new covered bridges were dedicated: North Lewisburg Road and Buck Run Road. In addition, the rehabilitated Pottersburg Bridge on the multi-use trail near Inskeep-Cratty Road was opened to pedestrians. All the bridges and three prairie grass preserves are located on the Big Darby Plains Scenic Byway.

The four historic covered bridges in Union County were designed and built by Ruben L. Partridge in the late 1860’s and 1870’s and are based on a design patented by him in 1872. Mr. Partridge lived in Marysville from 1836 until his death, which was the result of a fall from a bridge he was building north of Marysville. The Union County bridges and one in adjoining Franklin County are the only remaining bridges built from Mr. Partridge’s patent design.

The four Union County historic covered bridges all have “windows” cut into the siding. This is not in the original design. It was done to increase visibility with the advent of automobile traffic. These “windows” have roofs or awnings to protect the trusses from the elements.

The Bigelow Bridge, also known as the Axe Handle Bridge, was named in honor of Mr. Bigelow, who was a nearby resident. This 102’ truss bridge spans the Little Darby Creek and was built in 1873 and renovated in 1990. Arches of nail laminated 2 x 10’s were built within the bridge and new glu-lam floor beams were suspended from the arches during the renovation.

The Culbertson Bridge, also known as Winget Road Bridge, was originally on US Route 36, two miles from Milford Center. There are canopies on both sides of the bridge and scrolls are located on each end. This 94’ bridge spans Treacle Creek and was built in 1868.

The Pottersburg Bridge formerly in the location of the North Lewisburg Road Covered Bridge was designed and built in 1868. The full length canopy was added in 1937. In 1949, extensive repairs were made to this bridge. In 2006, the 94’ truss bridge was moved and rehabilitated where it now rests on the North Lewisburg Multi-Use Trail.

In 2006 a new covered bridge, North Lewisburg Road Bridge, was constructed over Big Darby Creek Scenic River. This new bridge is a modified Pratt Truss and 135’ in length with two lanes to accommodate the increase in traffic.

The Spain Creek Bridge, also known as Inskeep Crotty Road Bridge, is a pretty little covered bridge that spans 64’ over Spain Creek. Spain Creek currently achieves criteria associated with the Exceptional Warm water Habitat and Coldwater Habitat use designations by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

In the spring of 2007, a new covered bridge replaced the steel truss bridge on Buck Run Road. The new Buck Run Road covered bridge is a modified Pratt Truss with two lanes for traffic and spans an impressive 160’ in length over the Big Darby Creek.

The Streng Road Truss Bridge was built in 1914 and is presumed to have replaced a bridge that was destroyed in the flood of 1913. Union County received special recognition for the renovation of this steel Pratt Bridge in 1993. The bridge spans 200 feet of Big Darby and is officially listed as an Ohio Historic Bridge. This is the only non-covered bridge with this recognition in the county.

Please click here for the Covered Bridge Route Map.