Welcome back to our Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour! In part 1 of the tour, we visited the six covered bridges on the eastern side of the county. Then, in part 2, we explored the eight covered bridges of central Ashtabula County. To read about either of those parts of our road trip, click on the links in the previous sentence. Thirteen of these bridges are on the North & Eastern route of the official Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour map. The final part of our tour starts in Windsor at the Windsor Mills Bridge and then goes north to Riverdale, Mechanicsville, Harpersfield, and West Liberty Bridges. All of these bridges are on the South & Western part of the Ashtabula County driving tour.
Our Weekend on the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour
Friday, July 3
To recap, we started our trip on July 3 by traveling north on Ohio State Route 7. We stopped in Conneaut for gas and to look at the lighthouse before moving on to Ashtabula Harbor for lunch. After lunch, we headed south towards Jefferson, visiting various bridges on the Ashtabula River and Mill Creek. This took the majority of the day.
Saturday, July 4
On Saturday, the we started with the Windsor Mills Bridge on Warner Hollow Road in the southwest corner of Ashtabula County. From there, we drove back east to Orwell, before heading north on Route 45 towards the Riverdale Road Covered Bridge. Next we visited the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge, followed by the Harpersfield Covered Bridge. Our final covered bridge of the day was the shortest covered bridge in the United States, the West Liberty Covered Bridge in Geneva, Ohio. If you are using the official Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour driving map, we started with the last bridge, #19, and worked our way backward to #15. Afterwards, we drove north to Geneva-on-the-Lake for lunch.
Part 3: Saturday’s Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour Stops
The South & Western Tour
Windsor Mills
We started the day with the quiet Windsor Mills bridge. Located off U.S. Route 322, west of Ohio Route 534, the Windsor Mills bridge is located on Covered Bridge Lane, formerly Wiswell Road. The official address is 7696 Warner Hollow Road, Windsor, Ohio. Since my great-great-grandparents were from Windsor, I pictured them in my head using this bridge as they went about their daily lives.
The Windsor Mills Bridge was built in 1867, making it one of the oldest two bridges in Ashtabula County. The120 foot long bridge crosses Phelps Creek, a tributary of the Grand River. When the bridge was renovated in 2002-2003, engineers replaced the field stone center pier with concrete that looks like stone. Locally quarried sandstone and creek stone make up the abutments. This bridge is listed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places.
County engineers moved Wiswell Road and bypassed the bridge in the early 1960s before closing it completely to traffic in the 1980s. However, after the bridge’s renovation was completed in 2004, they opened it again to all traffic except for trucks and buses. It’s a quiet, secluded area despite being close to 322. However, don’t be surprised to see an Amish buggy driving through.
To be honest, the Windsor Mills Bridge was one of my favorites. I love the look of its sunburst design. The bridge is a Town Lattice design and has been known by several names including the Wiswell Road Bridge and the Warner Hollow Bridge.
Riverdale Bridge
After leaving the Windsor Mills Bridge, we headed back to Orwell on Route 322 and then north on Route 45 to the Riverdale Road Covered Bridge in Rock Creek, Ohio. The 114 foot long Riverdale Bridge was built in 1874 and spans the Grand River. Compared to the elegance of the Windsor Mills Bridge, this bridge seems rather plain. Over the years, it has undergone several improvements including center steel bracing in 1945, a new floor in 1981, and a new concrete abutment on the east side after the original washed out in 1987. In addition to new flooring in 1987, engineers added new glue laminated girders to the interior, creating a bridge-within-a-bridge. This makes the Riverdale Bridge one of the narrowest in the county at 14.8 feet, only a little wider than one highway lane. Its clearance is only 9 feet 6 inches.
Mechanicsville Bridge
After leaving the Riverdale Bridge, we headed north to Mechanicsville. This 156 foot long Howe Truss with arch bridge is the longest single-span bridge (or second longest–county sites disagree) in Ashtabula County and Dennis’s favorite bridge of the trip. Like the Windsor Mills Bridge, the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge dates back to 1867 and is believed to be the oldest covered bridge in the county.
Renovated in 2003, the bridge still has its original arch consisting of 15 layers of 2×8 lumber. The arch is enclosed by large beams forming the X of the Howe Truss. Light and air infuse the bridge through large open-air windows.
We’d both been here before, stopping for a bite to eat at the nearby 1847 Grand River Manor, billed as the oldest tavern in the county, but neither of us had ever explored the bridge. Although you can still drive through the covered bridge, Mechanicsville Road bypasses it now. If you’re here in the summer, be sure to watch for people in canoes and kayaks below.
Don’t forget to note the barn quilt on the side of the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge. In addition to covered bridges, the official map also lists wineries, beaches, lighthouses, and tourism offices along with 107 barn quilts to watch for as you traverse the county. The one on the side of the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge is #32 Four Winds.
Harpersfield Covered Bridge
Nestled in a 53 acre metropark south of I-90, just off State Route 534, the Harpersfield Covered Bridge is probably one of the best known covered bridges in the state of Ohio. At 228 feet, the 1868 Harpersfield Bridge is the third longest covered bridge in Ohio and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
This two-span Howe Truss bridge has changed over the years. In 1913, a flood washed away the land at the north end of the bridge. Engineers built a new steel bridge to connect the existing covered bridge to the Grand River shoreline at that time. In addition, workers added a covered pedestrian walkway to the bridge in 1992.
Visitors can park on either side of the bridge. Benches, pavilions, picnic tables, and even porch-type swings line the sides of the river. The nearby playground equipment will delight children. Additionally, a gift shop with limited concessions is open certain days of the week. And, best of all, restrooms are available on both sides of the river.
West Liberty Covered Bridge
Blink and you’ll miss it! We did.
The shortest covered bridge in the USA open to traffic is the West Liberty Covered Bridge in Geneva, Ohio. If you are coming from the south on Route 534, West Liberty Street is right after the railroad tracks. If you’re coming from the north, the street is directly before the tracks on the west side of the road.
The West Liberty Bridge is only 18 feet long. Students at the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School (now A-tech) constructed the bridge during the 2010-2011 school year using local timber. A single Kingpost supports this bridge along with its Scissor Truss roof. A non-functional toll booth sits nearby along with a small lending library and a blessing box with non-perishable food items and toiletries. The bridge crosses Cowles Creek, a tiny dribble of water, and has walkways on either side.
After the bridges
After visiting our final Ashtabula County covered bridge, we headed north to Geneva-on-the-Lake a stroll along the strip. We bought delicious cheeseburgers for lunch at Eddie’s Grill and ate them in our car before heading home. Originally, we had planned to visit a few wineries, but it was so hot that we nixed that idea.
Know Before You Go
There are a few points to take into consideration before heading off on the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge tour.
A few points to consider…
1. Restrooms are few and far between.
In short, visit restrooms in town, if possible, or wait until you are at the Harpersfield (North & Eastern) or Smolen-Gulf (South & Western) Bridges.
2. Many covered bridges are on dirt roads.
Don’t wash your car before you leave. You will definitely need to wash it once you finish.
3. Watch for the covered bridge signs
Ashtabula County has signs that point to the covered bridges. Watch for them.
4. Bring a picnic lunch or plan to stop in one of the towns to eat.
You can absolutely bring a blanket and picnic at several of the bridges (those not surrounded by private property). Alternatively, you can use the picnic tables at Smolen-Gulf, Harpersfield, or Graham Road Bridges. If you would prefer to eat out, there are many great restaurants throughout the county, in both smaller and larger towns. If you are interested in eating in a covered bridge, consider visiting Covered Bridge Pizza in either Andover, North Kingsville, or Ashtabula.
5. Please don’t add to bridge graffiti.
Graffiti is considered vandalism. It’s illegal. Consequently, the authorities could charge you with a misdemeanor and force you to pay a fine. Please don’t write on the bridges or carve your names or initials into them. These bridges are part of the history of America.
6. Be sure to watch for slow-moving vehicles.
We passed several Amish buggies and tractors along the way. Make sure to leave them space and pass safely.
Final Thoughts on our Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Tour
In conclusion, people who want to avoid crowds will enjoy this covered bridge tour. If rural scenery, historic structures, engineering, or photography interests you, you would enjoy this backroads adventure. I’m glad that we finally took the time to explore these interesting structure that for us, at least, are so close to home.
Without a doubt, it’s hard for me to pick a favorite out of the 19 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. I liked several of them for varied reasons. Dennis’s choice is the Mechanicsville Bridge which is very light and airy inside. How about you? If you’ve followed us through Part 1 and Part 2 of our three part trip, which bridge would you choose as your favorite?
I’ve already enjoyed reading that other part – and this is at least as interesting and inspiring. I also love how you add all those small but definitely relevant information.
Love your beautiful photos! And your review is so complete with step by step information. I especially love the warning about the lack of rest rooms! That’s something you don’t find in most travel guides.
Like always you have such good information, going to save this and use during my travels ! Thank you 😊
Wow! Beautiful pictures. It brings a lot positive vibes.
I have thoroughly enjoyed your covered bridge series! They are all so unique, and that is fascinating. I’ve never seen the same covered bridge twice.
Great to read more of this tour! I really loved learning about it and seeing all your fabulous pictures – this would be a great trip for me as I love these kinds of rural and historical adventures. Must have been extra special since your grandparents lived there!
It sounds like the official map has everything that you would need for a great getaway – bridges to explore, wineries, beaches to relax on a hot day… What more does someone need? Thank you for the tips. I am definitely going to have to make this a plan sometime in the future.
Your series on the tours has been good and very informative. Providing your readers with very detailed information and history. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you had such an enjoyable and memorable trip with lots to learn about covered bridges at each stage.
It is really difficult for me to choose a personal favorite from the 19 you have shared through this series. So many of them still exist in such lovely surroundings and each of them has an interesting story to tell. It is so good to know that they are being preserved, given their significant role in history and I love how you included information on the history of the bridges as well as how some have been worked on to ensure they remain safe and sturdy. The Windsor Mills Bridge in particular is one I can appreciate takes a special place in your heart. I would love to do this tour one day when next in the area and thanks so much for creating this series to raise awareness of this unique heritage.
After thr first and second part, this third part is awesome. I enjoyed the vibe these pictures bring and of course your writing.
What a great post! You don’t see many covered bridges in the Northeastern US. I dont think I’ve ever come across one and if I did, I would be afraid to drive on it!
My favorite was also the Windsor Mills Bridge. I love the design on that bridge.- The sun burst design is wonderful. I love your bridge tours that you share with us all. 🙂
Covered bridges are so awesome. I love their vibe. They just look cool. They also have a lot of history behind them, too.