Gratis Township in Preble County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Brubaker Bridge

Built 1887

— Bridge Info —

Brubaker Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. Brubaker Bridge Marker

Inscription. The 88-foot Brubaker Bridge, built across Sam's Run on Aukerman Creek Road (now Brubaker Road) in 1887, was constructed by E.S. Sherman and T.J. Smith. Sherman spent $986 on his portion of the build with Smith constructing the abutments for $1,422. The project total was $2,408.

Initially fully sided, the bridge's sides were opened to improve visibility for automobiles. This modification enhanced its scenic value, making it one of southwestern Ohio's most picturesque bridges. Painted white instead of the usual red, it reflects changing tastes of the time.

Located one mile northwest of Gratis (formerly Winchester), it is near the Preble County Historical Society, enhancing its historic significance. The Brubaker Bridge is considered the easiest to bypass for a new bridge across Sam's Run.

Length: 88 ft.

Builders: E.S. Sherman, T.J. Smith

Project Cost (1887): $2,408

Erected by Preble County Convention & Visitors Bureau. (Marker Number No. 6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 39° 39.092′ N, 84° 32.64′ W. Marker is near Gratis

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, Ohio, in Preble County. It is in Gratis Township. It is at the intersection of Brubaker Road and Ohio Route 122, on the right when traveling east on Brubaker Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5312 Brubaker Road, Camden OH 45311, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Preble County Historical Center (approx. half a mile away); Hall of Honor (approx. half a mile away); Sara Swartsel (approx. half a mile away); Seth S. Schlotterbeck (approx. half a mile away); Helen & M. Heber Felton (approx. half a mile away); Thomas McQuiston (approx. half a mile away); Nathaniel Benjamin (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gratis.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

2. Brubaker Bridge Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

3. Brubaker Bridge Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.