The Beauty Around Us

Ashtabula County OH Covered Bridge Tour (Post 1 of 18)

By Linda G. on June 1, 2016

Bob had off work yesterday.  Yesterday morning we left home at 6:30 am, in search of covered bridges. Our destination was Ashtabula County, OH.  We had the choice of three routes.

We chose the route with the less mileage.

At one time, hundreds of covered bridges dotted the northeast Ohio countryside. Today, fewer than 50 of these bridges exist, with the largest concentration being in Ashtabula County (according to the About Travel website).  There are currently eighteen covered bridges in Ashtabula County, including the longest and the shortest bridges in the entire United States. The bridges represent one of five design types: Howe truss, Pratt truss, Town lattice truss, Burr Arch, and Inverted Haupt truss. Twelve of the covered bridges are located in the northern and eastern part of the county. The remaining six bridges are located in the southern and western part of the county.  Before leaving home I printed the 2013 Ashtabula County Ohio Convention & Visitors Bureau Official Visitor’s Map that I found on the Internet.  I used this map throughout the day.

We visited the covered bridges located in the northern and eastern part of Ashtabula County during the first part of our day. After lunch we visited the covered bridges located in the southern and western part of the county.

The north and eastern covered bridge tour begins in the center of Jefferson, OH. The approximate round trip of this tour is 69 miles.

Within 2 1/4 hours of our departure from Warren, PA we reached Netcher Road Covered Bridge, the first bridge on our tour.

Netcher Road Covered Bridge

I like several of the design features incorporated in this bridge.  I like the spires of the roof, the fancy ribbing on the peak of the roof and the pointed ends on the siding planks.  This design is referred to as “Neo Victorian”.

Netcher Road Covered Bridge

The Netcher Road Covered Bridge spans Mill Creek.

Interior view of the Netcher Road Covered Bridge

The next 11 covered bridges we visited were:

South Denmark Road Covered Bridge
Caine Road Covered Bridge
Graham Road Covered Bridge
Root Road Covered Bridge
Middle Road Covered Bridge
State Road Covered Bridge
Creek Road Covered Bridge
Benetka Road Covered Bridge
Olin Covered Bridge
Smolen-Gulf Covered Bridge
Giddings Covered Bridge

We completed the north and eastern covered bridge tour at approximately 2:00 pm. We ate lunch in Jefferson, OH at the Jefferson Diner. I ordered the “blue plate special”, which was meatloaf, mashed potatoes and applesauce (substituted for corn). The special cost $5.25. Bob ordered a pork chop dinner that included a side salad, onion rings, and corn. I can’t remember how much Bob’s meal cost. Our total bill, though, was a reasonable $16.76. Our server was efficient and friendly. The interior of the restaurant appeared clean; however, the floor was sticky in places. The food lacked seasoning but was tasty nonetheless.

After lunch we visited the covered bridges located in the south and western part of Ashtabula County. The south and western covered bridge tour begins in the center of Jefferson, OH. The approximate round trip of this tour is 68 miles. There are six bridges in this tour, all of which we visited. The six bridges that we visited were as follows:

Doyle Road Covered Bridge
West Liberty Street Covered Bridge
Harpersfield Road Covered Bridge
Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge
Riverdale Road Covered Bridge
Windsor Mills Covered Bridge

 

We departed Windsor Mills Covered Bridge, en route home, around 5:15 pm.  We took a different route home, opting to go home via Edinboro, PA.

We returned home shortly before 8:00 pm, after a stop for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery in Edinboro. We rarely eat Cold Stone ice cream, so it was a real treat for us.

We enjoyed the covered bridge tour very much. We didn’t take a GPS with us. A GPS would have been helpful, as several times we were in areas without mobile phone service. We would have gotten lost had it not been for the tour map that we had with us. I liked traveling by car, although the tour is possible by motorcycle. Much of the tour, however, follows unpaved roads. I would like to go on the tour again sometime, in the fall and in the winter. We would have to stay overnight in those seasons, though, as we would lose sufficient lighting for taking photographs.  If you like to attend festivals, please note that the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival is held in Jefferson Ohio on the 2nd full weekend in October from 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and 9:00am to 5:00pm Sunday. The Festival includes official souvenirs, crafts, entertainment, demonstrations, a quilt show, contests, a parade, kids Rides/Games, and food. Admission is free. The 2016 festival will be held on October 8th and 9th.