Ohio's Covered Bridges, From Active Crossings to Preserved Relics

Ohio

April 2025

Daring to Cross Our First Ohio Covered Bridge

We set out for the day to drive around rural Ohio to explore some covered bridges. Our first stop led us along the gravel, somewhat narrow backroads of Morgan County, Ohio, to the Adams, also known as the San Toy bridge. The historic bridge was built in 1875 and closed for a while before reopening to traffic in the 1990s. We dared to cross it with our car!

The Active Kidwell Covered Bridge

From Morgan County, we drove to rural Athens County, where we saw another beautiful piece of history: the Kidwell Covered Bridge. This red-painted bridge spans Sunday Creek and is functional.

The Unique Window of the Hannaway

In its original location over Clear Creek, Fairfield County, the Hannaway Covered Bridge no longer carries traffic. A unique feature of this bridge is a window on one side, added in the 1930s, to allow for a view of approaching traffic.

The Covered Bridge with the Longest Name

The Mink Hollow Covered Bridge in Arney Run Park is situated on its original sandstone structure spanning Arney Run. This charming bridge, with windows on both sides, was constructed around 1887. The official name of this bridge is “The Mink Hollow Covered Bridge in Oil Mill Hollow Over Arney Run Near Borcher’s Mill,” the longest name of any covered bridge.

George Hutchins Covered Bridge, A Relocated Landmark

Historic George Hutchins Covered Bridge, built in 1904, is out of function. The bridge was relocated for the Fairfield County Bicentennial Celebration in 2000 and is now featured in Charles F. Allery Memorial Park.

What made our drive special today was seeing the unique charm of these American bridges from the 1800s and, of course, the excitement of driving over the ones still in use today.