Bergstresser/Dietz Covered Bridge

The Bergstresser/Dietz Covered Bridge is a wooden structure that crosses Little Walnut Creek and features three connected truss systems supporting its span. The gray weathered exterior creates a tunnel-like interior passage that shelters visitors as they walk through.

The bridge was constructed in 1887 using a specialized triple truss design that an engineer named Reuben L. Partridge had patented. This design represented an advancement in timber bridge engineering for crossing waterways in rural regions.

This bridge represents how rural communities once relied on timber engineering to cross streams and connect their lands. Walking through its interior, you encounter a tangible link to everyday life in 19th-century farming communities.

The bridge can be accessed from Ashbrook Road and Washington Street, where it provides a pedestrian crossing over the creek. Visitors should expect an uneven wooden surface and plan to walk through on foot, as the structure functions as a footpath.

The structure rests on sandstone foundation blocks that have supported its weight for over a century without major reinforcement. Few people notice how the three parallel truss systems work together like interlocking fingers to distribute stress evenly across the waterway.

Location: Franklin County

Official opening: 1887

GPS coordinates: 39.83000,-82.81667

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:01