Covered Bridges of Preble County

Miami University's Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR)

 hosted the second Covered Bridges Tour. 

Four bridges in Preble County were toured after visiting 

the Black (Pugh's Mill) Covered Bridge in Butler County. 

Pugh's Mill Bridge was built in 1868-1869 to give access to Pugh's saw and grist mill. 

The bridge was built over the Four Mile Creek, later called the Tallawanda Creek. 

The saw and grist mill ceased operation two decades later. 

The name of the bridge gradually changed to the Black Bridge,

as there was a 'White Bridge' down steam. 

The next bridge we visited was the new Hueston Woods Covered Bridge. 

One of the eight covered bridges of Preble County. 

Decades of use and exposure to the elements took a toll on the previous structure. 

In September 2011, construction began on this new bridge.

The bridge was dedicated in June 2012 with a life expectancy of 100 years. 

The bridge is Burr Arch truss construction, patented in 1804.

It has a span of 108 feet over Four Mile Creek. 

Walkways on either side of the bridge allow for safe passage and scenic views. 

The next stop was the Harshman Covered Bridge. 

This bridge is an example of Childs Truss, built by Everette S. Sherman in 1894.

It is over the Four Mile Creek. 

The oldest of the nation's six remaining double-barrelled bridges 

and the only one in Ohio is the Robert's Covered Bridge. 

Robert's Covered Bridge crosses the Seven Mile Creek.

The Roberts Covered Bridge was built in 1829. 

It, too, has the Burr Arch truss construction. 

The rerouting of U.S. Route 127 resulted in the bridge being in an isolated location. 

On August 5, 1986, the bridge was vandalized and heavily damaged by fire. 

Relocation of the bridge to a secure site in Eaton took place in September 1990. 

The original load carrying structure is still in place. 

We walked over to inspect the near-by St. Clair Street Bridge

constructed by Columbia Bridge Works in Dayton, Ohio.
This bridge is in use today. 

The last bridge was the Christman Covered Bridge.

This 100 foot bridge was built in 1895 over Seven Mile Creek. 

Built by Everette S. Sherman it also uses the Childs Truss.

True covered bridges are numbered with a three-part universal identification code

that refers to state, county and bridge and listed in the World Guide to 

Covered Bridges. 

Number 35-09-03 reads Ohio-Butler County-Number 3 - Black Covered Bridge

Number 35-68-32 reads Ohio-Preble County-Number 32 - Hueston Woods Covered Bridge

Many thanks to Roger Miller for sharing his expertise with us today!
Thank you!
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