Mechanicsville Covered Bridge - Ohio

One of the oldest of the nineteen covered bridges in Ashtabula County, Ohio is the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge, also known as the Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge. Built in 1867 and located near Austinburg on a short drive down Mechanicsville Road, this 154-foot-long Howe truss designed covered bridge crosses the scenic Grand River and includes an arch. The arch contains fifteen layers of wood that are encased by the large beams that form the X of the Howe truss. There is also a window above the portal for both entrances of the bridge. The bridge is also part of the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Trail and the Ashtabula County Barn Quilt Trail, giving visitors a chance to take in the rural heritage of this corner of northeastern Ohio.

With a covered bridge that is over 150 years, the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge has seen its share of improvements over the years. While the bridge has been bypassed by a modern crossing, piers were added in 1996 as a means to stabilize the covered bridge. A larger renovation to the covered bridge took place in 2003 and was reopened to traffic in 2004. The walls and the approaches were painted white and on the northwestern exterior wall of the covered bridge, a painted quilt block has been hung in decoration.

At one time, there was a community located near the covered bridge that was also called Mechanicsville that lent its name to the bridge. While the community of Mechanicsville has been lost to the archives of time, the bridge remains for us to visit and enjoy.

The Grand River, which has been designated by the State of Ohio as a wild and scenic river.

Small window above the covered bridge portal.

A look at the modern covered bridge piers.

A small footpath leads to the side of the covered bridge.

Inside the covered bridge. If you look closely, you can see the X pattern on the top of the structure.

The modern bridge closely parallels the covered bridge over the Grand River.

Nice side profile of the Mechanicsville Covered Bridge. There are also windows on the side of the bridge that lets some light in.

A parting shot of the covered bridge. You can drive across the bridge in a car or a bike, but trucks and buses are prohibited.

How to Get There:

Sources and Links:
Tourism Ohio - The Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Trail
Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau - Mechanicsville Road Covered Bridge
The Pennsylvania Rambler - Mechanicsville Covered Bridge

The Historical Marker Database - The Covered Bridges Of Ashtabula County

DaleJTravis.com - Ohio Covered Bridges

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