Bergstresser Covered Bridge
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Spanning Little Walnut Creek one mile south of Canal Winchester, this covered wooden bridge was built in 1887 by the Columbus Bridge Company for $2,690. Its single span runs about 119 feet between cut-stone abutments laid by M. Corbett. The oak trusses follow the Partridge design patented in 1872 by Reuban Partridge, who was an officer in the bridge company at the time, which likely explains the choice. The bridge has cedar shingles, vertical white pine siding left unpainted, and red-painted portals. It sits on its original site, near the old Kramer's Ford, and was part of a state route from the late 1930s until the road was relocated in 1956 and the bridge returned to county ownership. It is the last original covered bridge in Franklin County and one of only six Partridge truss examples known. The county engineering department maintains it and has placed historical signs over each portal.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of late 19th century engineering skill. It is the last original covered bridge in Franklin County and one of only six surviving examples of the Partridge truss. It also reflects the link between the truss inventor and the bridge company that built it.
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 74001484, listed May 3, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of OH 674 over Walnut Creek, Canal Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | May 3, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001484 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1887) |
| Architect / builder | Columbus Bridge Company; abutments laid by M. Corbett |
| Architectural style | Partridge truss covered bridge (10 panel triple web Partridge truss with open center panel) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, on its original site, owned by Franklin County, which keeps it in excellent condition; roof reshingled in 1971. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.83008, -82.81653 (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 74001484.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4891729
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.