This Ohio Backroad Will Take You On A One-Of-A-Kind Adventure
By Catherine Armstrong|Published May 29, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
When you’re looking for adventure, Ohio’s backroads are the place to be. Here’s a scenic drive that takes you through Ashtabula County, and it’s downright scenic.
Ashtabula County is one of Ohio's most scenic rural places. When you take a tour of the Ashtabula County Covered Bridges, you'll be driving through verdant farmland, over pretty rivers, and through some quaint townships.
Ashtabula County is home to 19 covered bridges, though it once boasted more than 60. Throughout the years, many bridges were torn down and replaced by modern bridges made of steel and concrete.
There's no definitive starting or stopping point along this route; you can simply start with your favorite and work your way along backroads that take you through Jefferson, Monroe, Geneva, Ashtabula, Morgan, Pierpont, and several other small townships.
The Mechanicsville Bridge was built in 1867 and is the oldest bridge in the county. It was renovated in 2003, and it's still one of the prettiest bridges for photographs.
At just 18 feet long, the West Liberty Street Bridge is the shortest covered bridge in the United States, and it's one of the newer bridges you'll see along these backgrounds; it was built in 2011.
You'll be amazed at the Smolen Gulf bridge, which cost $8 million to construct in 2008. At 613 feet, it's the longest covered bridge in America, and it stands an impressive 93 feet above the river.
You might be interested to note the different styles of these bridges. Some, like the State Road Covered Bridge, were built in the Town Lattice Design; others were constructed with the Pratt Truss Design and other styles.
There's nothing like driving over a covered bridge. No matter how old or new the bridge, you're driving through a bit of history. Each bridge is unique and charming in its own way.
For more information about each of the Ashtabula County Bridges, visit Ashtabula County’s website. Have you visited Ashtabula County’s nineteen bridges? Share your experiences in the comments below!
