Lynchburg Covered Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Lynchburg Covered Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge
that spans the east fork of the Little Miami River
in Lynchburg, Ohio
. It, also, has the distinction, following a recent repair and restoration project, of being the only such covered bridge in North America
to have been converted to a pseudo-suspension infrastructure. The bridge was built in 1870 in the long truss style.
, who had built a number of bridges in the area. The bridge was completed in December 1870.
In 1963 plans were announced to demolish the bridge. A community-wide debate arose over the proposed demolition, and a letter writing campaign for its preservation was begun. Ohio Governor, James A. Rhodes, agreed to assist in saving the landmark, but it was ultimately decided that the state had no jurisdiction in the matter, since the bridge did not exist on a state highway. The Highland County Board of Commissioners eventually agreed, after strong community input, to allow the bridge to remain in place.
In 1969 a new bridge was constructed over the Little Miami River, allowing access to Lynchburg from Clinton County. The Lynchburg Covered Bridge was retired from active service and closed to traffic and Clinton County relinquished rights to the bridge.
In 1974 the bridge sustained severe storm damage when high winds blew most of the roof into the Little Miami River. Materials were donated for repairs, and the Lynchburg Historical Foundation launched a fund raising campaign, which raised a further $6000 for repairs. The restoration and renovation was eventually carried out by volunteers.
The Ohio Historic Bridge Society applied to have the bridge designated as an historic landmark, and the bridge was so designated on March 16, 1976, with its addition to the National Register of Historic Places
.
Since the 1980s several major seasonal events have called the historic bridge home, including several annual covered bridge festivals, civil war reenactment
s, car shows, motor cycle gatherings, and many local social bazaar
s.
In the 1980s the Highland County/Clinton County rivalry culminated in both counties gathering at the bridge, which covers the boundary between the two at its center, for a tug of war
contest that became quite the local community event.
Since the time of the park's establishment, it has also become a highly utilized place for organizations and families to hold private events, as well, more so than any other community venue.
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
that spans the east fork of the Little Miami River
Little Miami River
The Little Miami River is a Class I tributary of the Ohio River that flows through five counties in southwestern Ohio in the United States. The Little Miami joins the Ohio River east of Cincinnati. It forms parts of the borders between Hamilton and Clermont counties and between Hamilton and Warren...
in Lynchburg, Ohio
Lynchburg, Ohio
Lynchburg is a village in Clinton and Highland counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 1,350 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lynchburg is located at ....
. It, also, has the distinction, following a recent repair and restoration project, of being the only such covered bridge in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
to have been converted to a pseudo-suspension infrastructure. The bridge was built in 1870 in the long truss style.
History
On October 11, 1869, a Notice to Contractors was posted by the Highland County Auditor's Office calling for sealed bids for the construction of the Lynchburg Covered Bridge. In 1870 the bridge was constructed for a cost of $3138.66 by local bridge builder John C. Gregg of HillsboroHillsboro, Ohio
Hillsboro is a city in and the county seat of Highland County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,605 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hillsboro is located at ....
, who had built a number of bridges in the area. The bridge was completed in December 1870.
In 1963 plans were announced to demolish the bridge. A community-wide debate arose over the proposed demolition, and a letter writing campaign for its preservation was begun. Ohio Governor, James A. Rhodes, agreed to assist in saving the landmark, but it was ultimately decided that the state had no jurisdiction in the matter, since the bridge did not exist on a state highway. The Highland County Board of Commissioners eventually agreed, after strong community input, to allow the bridge to remain in place.
In 1969 a new bridge was constructed over the Little Miami River, allowing access to Lynchburg from Clinton County. The Lynchburg Covered Bridge was retired from active service and closed to traffic and Clinton County relinquished rights to the bridge.
In 1974 the bridge sustained severe storm damage when high winds blew most of the roof into the Little Miami River. Materials were donated for repairs, and the Lynchburg Historical Foundation launched a fund raising campaign, which raised a further $6000 for repairs. The restoration and renovation was eventually carried out by volunteers.
The Ohio Historic Bridge Society applied to have the bridge designated as an historic landmark, and the bridge was so designated on March 16, 1976, with its addition to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Social impact on the local community
The Lynchburg Covered Bridge, and the surrounding Ruth Cramton Memorial Park, has become a center for social gatherings and activities for the greater Lynchburg community.Since the 1980s several major seasonal events have called the historic bridge home, including several annual covered bridge festivals, civil war reenactment
American Civil War reenactment
American Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the American Civil War by hobbyists known as Civil War reenactors or Civil War recreationists...
s, car shows, motor cycle gatherings, and many local social bazaar
Bazaar
A bazaar , Cypriot Greek: pantopoula) is a permanent merchandising area, marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold. The term is sometimes also used to refer to the "network of merchants, bankers and craftsmen" who work that area...
s.
In the 1980s the Highland County/Clinton County rivalry culminated in both counties gathering at the bridge, which covers the boundary between the two at its center, for a tug of war
Tug of war
Tug of war, also known as tug o' war, tug war, rope war or rope pulling, is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The term may also be used as a metaphor to describe a demonstration of brute strength by two opposing groups, such as a rivalry between two...
contest that became quite the local community event.
Since the time of the park's establishment, it has also become a highly utilized place for organizations and families to hold private events, as well, more so than any other community venue.