Ashbrook Village in Canal Winchester in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bergstresser/Dietz Covered Bridge
1887-1991
In March, 1887, the Franklin County Commissioners announced the building of a bridge in Madison Township over Little Walnut Creek at Kramer's Ford. Area citizens had petitioned for a bridge to transport agricultural products to the canal and railroad. Michael Corbett of Groveport contracted to construct the abutments and the Columbus Bridge Company built the covered bridge for $2,690.00. Reuban L. Partridge, company vice president, supervised the building, using his patented truss system consisting of double and triple truss members constructed of pine and oak.
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In the 1930's the road traveling over the bridge became State Route 674 and in the 1950s the road was redirected to bypass the covered bridge. In 1990, the county contracted with Abba Lichtenstein & Associates to evaluate the condition of the bridge. The W.J. Seidensticker Company repaired and restored the Bergstresser bridge using original and new materials. This, the last covered bridge in Franklin County, was rededicated September 1, 1991. At this time the ownership of the bridge was transferred to the Village of Canal Winchester.
Erected 1992 by Citizens for Positive Growth to the Village of Canal Winchester and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 17-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1887.
Location. 39° 49.797′ N, 82° 48.983′ W. Marker is in Canal Winchester, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Ashbrook Village. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street and Ashbrook Road, on the right when traveling south on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canal Winchester OH 43110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ohio's Oldest Active School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Canal Winchester School (1862 - 2007) (approx. 0.9 miles away); Faith United Methodist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Stradley Place (approx. one mile away); Canal Winchester and the Ohio and Erie Canal (approx. one mile away); The Interurban Depot (approx. one mile away); Prentiss School No. 8 (approx. 1.2 miles away); Canal Winchester (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canal Winchester.
More about this marker. Bridge is open to foot traffic.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,844 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on August 2, 2021, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Alex Krempasky of Obetz, Ohio. 7, 8. submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 9. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Alex Krempasky of Obetz, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.