Helmick Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning Killbuck Creek on Township Road 25 at the hamlet of Helmick, this covered bridge was built in 1863 by John Shrake of Newark, Ohio. County records credit Shrake with the superstructure and abutments for $2,107.15, though a stone in the north abutment bears the name F. A. Victor, suggesting a mason helped. The bridge has two 83-foot spans, each with seven panels, joined at a central stone pier. Its multiple kingpost trusses use handhewn timbers pinned with wooden trunnels, and the siding is vertical and unpainted under a red metal roof. Later additions include supports and steel I-beams under the north span, and steel rods beneath both spans. The kingpost was the most common truss in Ohio's wooden bridges. The structure was listed as the last public covered bridge remaining in Coshocton County, and for its scenic setting near a hamlet that once had a sawmill, post office and general store.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the bridge as the last public covered bridge in Coshocton County. It is a surviving example of the multiple kingpost truss, once the most common truss in Ohio's wooden bridges. It is also valued as a picturesque structure in a scenic setting and as work of builder John Shrake.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75001348, listed June 18, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Blissfield on Twnshp. Rd. 25, Blissfield |
|---|---|
| County | Coshocton County |
| Listed | June 18, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001348 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (1863) |
| Architect / builder | John Shrake of Newark, Ohio (builder); masonry possibly by F. A. Victor |
| Architectural style | Multiple kingpost truss covered bridge |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rated in good condition and described as still in use; the form notes added supports and steel I-beam reinforcement under the north span, and the property is public, owned by Coshocton County. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.39312, -81.94270 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75001348.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q58904053
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.