Roberts Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning Seven Mile Creek on Old Camden Road, about three miles south of Eaton, this covered bridge dates to 1829 and is regarded as the oldest surviving covered bridge in Ohio and the second oldest in the United States. Orlistus Roberts, who did not live to see it finished, and Joseph Campbell built it as a toll crossing for the privately owned Hamilton and Eaton Turnpike. It is the only two-lane covered span left in the state. Three trusses reinforced by Burr arches carry the roadway, with a clear span of 73 feet and an overall length of 91.5 feet. Poplar, white oak and beech timbers make up the frame, under a gable roof and horizontal siding. A flood, probably in 1886, damaged the north abutment, and its replacement shortened the span from 75 to 73 feet. The bridge remains in use and in good condition, although traffic moved long ago to nearby Ohio 127. A marker dedicated in 1962 honors Ohio covered bridges and their builders.
Significance in brief: It is described as the oldest covered bridge in Ohio and the second oldest remaining in the United States. It is also the only covered two-lane (double-barrelled) bridge left in the state. Its three-truss design strengthened by Burr arches is unique 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 71000651, listed September 3, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3 mi. S of Eaton over Seven Mile Creek, Eaton |
|---|---|
| County | Preble County |
| Listed | September 3, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000651 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1829 |
| Architect / builder | Orlistus Roberts and Joseph Campbell |
| Architectural style | Burr arch truss covered bridge |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use and in good condition; it has been re-sided and re-floored. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.71151, -84.62082 (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 71000651.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q58904070
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.