Roberts Covered Bridge

Roberts Covered Bridge spans Seven Mile Creek with dual wagon lanes, constructed from poplar, beech, and oak timber on limestone abutments. The structure uses a Burr Arch design featuring three arches and multiple kingpost trusses for added support.

The bridge was built in 1829 by Orlistus Roberts and completed by his apprentice James Campbell. Following fire damage, the structure was relocated to its current location in 1990.

The bridge represents early American engineering with its Burr Arch design, incorporating three arches and multiple kingpost trusses for enhanced stability.

The bridge sits on South Beech Street in Eaton near Crystal Lake and now serves mainly as a pedestrian crossing. Visit any time of year, though autumn and spring offer the best light for viewing its timber frame details.

Among the six surviving double-barreled covered bridges in the United States, this is the oldest in Ohio and second oldest overall. Its survival through fire damage and relocation stands as a testament to its solid early American construction methods.

Location: Eaton

Inception: 1829

GPS coordinates: 39.74044,-84.63868

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:40