Helmick Mill Covered Bridge
Also known as: Island Run Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning Island Run in a remote part of Morgan County, Ohio, this covered bridge was built in 1867 by contractor Samuel Price after county commissioners sought a new crossing, probably because an earlier bridge had washed out. The 74-foot structure uses a nine-panel multiple kingpost truss with an X brace in the center panel, cut sandstone abutments, corrugated metal siding and roof, and projecting portals. The bridge takes its name from a nearby sawmill and grist mill operated by the Helmick family, both now gone. Still open to traffic, it carries about 40 vehicles a day. It was listed because it represents the multiple kingpost design, widely known in Ohio as the Buckingham truss. Only a small fraction of Ohio's timber truss bridges survive, and this is one of three Morgan County covered bridges remaining on their original sites. It is also the only documented surviving Price bridge in Ohio.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it exemplifies the multiple kingpost (Buckingham) truss, the most common wooden truss design in Ohio. It is one of five covered bridges left in Morgan County and one of only three still on their original sites. It is also the only documented surviving bridge by builder Samuel Price in 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 99000098, listed February 5, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Township Rd. 269 over Island Run, Malta |
|---|---|
| County | Morgan County |
| Listed | February 5, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000098 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1867 to 1948 |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Price built stone abutments and wooden superstructures |
| Architectural style | Other: Covered Bridge (multiple kingpost truss) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still open to traffic, carrying about 40 vehicles per day; steel mid-span supports were added about 1965 and two downstream windows in 1997. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.71984, -81.94210 (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 99000098.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q58904055
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.