Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Trail

This two span Howe truss bridge is 228 ft. long, formerly the longest covered bridge in Ohio. It is now the second longest in the State. 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 int he County Metropark 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 1991-1992 when the bridge was renovated.

The longest single span Covered Bridge in Ashtabula County, this 156 ft. Howe truss with arch was built over the Grand River in 1867. The arch is 15 layers of 2x8 lumber and is encased by large beams which from the X's of the Howe truss. Believed to be the oldest of the County's covered bridges, this bridge was renovated and opened to traffic in the fall of 2003.

This 114 ft. 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.

This bridge is 150' long and 14' wide, making it one of the county's larger bridges, yet it carries only pedestrian traffic. It mirrors the Pratt arch design of it's big brother, Smolen-Gulf, which rises above the pedestrian structure. Both cross the Ashtabula River at Indian Trails Park. Riverview, dedicated in 2016, provides exercise trails and a place to enjoy the beautiful river scenery.

The longest covered bridge in the United States is of Pratt Truss construction. Engineering and structural design by John Smolen (former County Engineer) and architectural design by Timothy Martin (current County Engineer) the bridge was dedicated August 26, 2008. The bridge is 613 ft. long and stands 93 ft. above the Ashtabula River. With clear width of 30 ft. and height of 14 ft 6 in. it will support full legal load traffic and has a life expectancy of 100 years.

Containing 97,000 ft. of southern pine and oak, the State Road Bridge was erected in 1983 across the Conneaut Creek. The 152 ft. 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.

Clearance 15'0' (10.6 mi. from Doyle Rd. Bridge) The shortest covered bridge in the United States spans only 18ft. Its design is one of a kind. The structure is supported by a single Kingpost and its roof is a Scissor Truss which gives the bridge a lighter, open feeling. The roof has a more pronounced slope than a typical timber covered bridge. This, along with the extended overhangs, eaves and rakes, give the bridge a floating appearance. The bridge includes a toll keeper booth to remind visitors of pioneer days when travelers often had to pay for the privilage of crossing a bridge. The timber for the bridge was donated from locally grown timber. The bridge was modularly constructed by students on the campus of the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School.

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 & 2003 and was once again opened to traffic in the fall of 2003.