Covered Bridges: Hidden Gems of Ashtabula County

Ashtabula County, home to Vineyard Woods, holds the distinction of being the state's covered bridge capital, boasting a total of 19 of these distinctive architectural gems. Here in our region, you can encounter covered bridges of various sizes and styles, including the longest and shortest in the United States. When you journey through one of Ohio's cherished historic covered bridges, it's as if you're bridging the gap between bygone eras and the present.

Embark on a historical expedition and explore these charming structures. Here are a few of our favorite covered bridges:

Smolen Covered Bridge

The longest covered bridge in the United States spanning 613 ft. long and stands 93 ft. above the Ashtabula River. 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.

Harpersfield Covered Bridge

Built in 1868, this is the second longest covered bridge in the state of Ohio. 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.

Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge

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 is the longest single span Covered Bridge in Ashtabula County.

West Liberty Covered Bridge

This is the shortest Covered Bridge in the United States spanning only 18ft. The bridge was modularly constructed by students on the campus of the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School.

View a complete list of the 19 covered bridges in our area.

Take a tour any time of year but we think it is most impressive when the vibrant fall colors make an appearance around the last week in September and throughout October. Make a plan to include a covered bridge tour on your next fall excursion.