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

Roberts Bridge

1829

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009

1. Roberts Bridge Marker

Inscription. Ohio's oldest and only standing double-barreled covered bridge and the oldest of six remaining in the nation.

Built by Orlistus Roberts and James Campbell over Seven Mile Creek on Old Camden Pike South of Eaton.

Relocated and restored in 1991 through the generous support of the community and the efforts of the Roberts Restoration Committee.

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 1991.

Location. 39° 44.428′ N, 84° 38.31′ W. Marker is in Eaton, Ohio, in Preble County. Marker is on South Beech Street, 0 miles West St. Clair Street, on the left when traveling north. When traveling through the south end of Eaton, Ohio on US 127 turn west on West St. Clair Street and travel for one block. Turn north (right) on Beech Street and almost immediately, on your left, you will see the Roberts Covered Bridge. This historical marker is located just to the left of the front of this bridge, affixed to a large rock. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 338 South Beech Street, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Roberts Bridge / Timber Covered Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Preble County Veterans Memorial

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Preble County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); William Bruce (approx. ¼ mile away); Van Ausdal-Donohoe House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mound Hill Cemetery Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Monument at Mound Hill Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Birthplace of Swine Improvement in America (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eaton.

More about this marker. There is a stream, Seven Mile Creek, that runs from the north, flowing south, through the west side of Eaton, Ohio. This marker is on the east bank of that creek, just below a dam built across the creek, and just above the St. Clair Street Bridge that crosses this creek.

Regarding Roberts Bridge. This covered bridge was originally built south of the town of Eaton, across this very same Seven Mile Creek. In fact my Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer, published by the DeLorme Mapping Company, with a copyright date of 1991, still shows the Roberts Covered Bridge in this original location. However, in the late 1980s (as best I recall) this bridge was vandalized

Photographed By Craig Doda, February 27, 2022

2. Roberts Bridge Marker

and set afire. The roof and outer wooden covering were all burned down and all that remained were the fire scarred wooden trusses. It was these all important wooden trusses that were carefully restored, and then protected with a new roof and wooden siding, and then relocated within the community of Eaton for better protect.

Also see . . . Roberts, 79', 1829, 35-68-05. This web link is entitled "Ohio Covered Bridges List" and it is both published and made available by Dale Travis. (Submitted on June 14, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Roberts Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009

3. Roberts Covered Bridge

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009

4. Roberts Covered Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,735 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 14, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2. submitted on March 2, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.