Foreaker Bridge
Also known as: Weddle Bridge
Why it's listed
Carrying County Road 40 over the Little Muskingum River, this single-span covered bridge sits about three miles east of Graysville in Monroe County, Ohio. Built of native white oak and reportedly erected in 1886/87, it uses a 12-panel multiple kingpost truss, a simple design that farmer-carpenters in early Ohio could build easily and that was the most common truss in the state's wooden covered bridges. The truss length is just under 99 feet, with cut stone abutments laid by stonemason Isaiah Cline. The builder of the timber structure is unknown. Locals know it as either the Foreaker or Weddle Bridge, depending on whether they recall the Foreaker family, who owned the land at the south end, or the Weddle family, who bought that farm in 1925. Steel rods were added in 1938, later steel beams were placed underneath, and a storm-damaged roof section was replaced in 1971. It is one of only two covered bridges left in Monroe County.
Significance in brief: The bridge is a surviving example of the multiple kingpost truss, once the most common truss in Ohio's wooden covered bridges. It is one of only two covered bridges remaining in Monroe County. The form also calls it a beloved local landmark in the hilly area known as the Switzerland of Ohio.
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 75001493, listed June 5, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3 mi. E of Graysville on SR 40, Graysville |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Listed | June 5, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001493 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1886/87 |
| Architect / builder | Builder unknown; stonework by Isaiah Cline, stonemason |
| Architectural style | Multiple kingpost truss covered bridge |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fairly good condition, with many repairs and reinforcements; steel rods added in 1938, steel I-beams added later by the county, and a wind-damaged roof section replaced in 1971. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.65557, -81.12082 (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 75001493.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5468144
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.