Lowell in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Covered Bridges
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 23, 2008
1. Covered Bridges Marker
Lowell was the site of one of ten wooden covered bridges, built from 1820 to 1887, that crossed the Muskingum River from Marietta to Coshocton. The Lowell bridge was built in 1881. Bridges were built out of wood because there was plenty of lumber available, and building with wood was easier and cheaper than using stone. Covers protected the timbers from rain. The bridge connected Lowell, on the north side of the river, with the railroad that ran on the south side. This bridge suffered from many mishaps typical of wooden bridges. In 1882 a storm blew off the roof. In 1884 a flood washed the bridge off its stone piers. The 1913 flood destroyed the Lowell bridge and many other bridges on the river. An iron bridge was built on the site. The last covered bridge on the river, at Conesville seven miles south of Coshocton, was condemned in 1958.Erected 1998 by The Muskingum River Parkway and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-84.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters
this page online
Location. 39° 31.591′ N, 81° 30.349′ W. Marker is in Lowell, Ohio, in Washington County. Marker is on the east side of Lowell Lock #3, off Lock Street south of New Bridge Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lowell OH 45744, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lowell Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fortified Settlement (about 400 feet away); The Devola Lock (approx. 3.9 miles away); Round Bottom Schoolhouse / Round Bottom Cemetery (approx. 4.7 miles away); Catherine Fay Ewing / Frances Dana Gage (approx. 6.3 miles away); Children’s Home (approx. 6.4 miles away); Sewah Studios (approx. 6.7 miles away); Fort Frye (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lowell.
Regarding Covered Bridges. The Conesville covered bridge, built in 1876, was condemned in 1958 and destroyed by a controlled fire.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 23, 2008
2. Covered Bridges Marker at Lock #3
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
