Ponn Humpback Covered Bridge
Why it's listed
Carrying Geer Road over Raccoon Creek in Vinton County, this covered bridge was completed in 1874 by local contractors Martin E. McGrath and Lyman Wells. It is 165 feet long and 14 feet wide, with two sandstone piers near the ends and wooden trusses using Burr arches, while the end bays use queen post construction. Its slight arch, or hump, appears to have been designed for structural reasons, allowing a long unbroken span across a deep gorge rather than extra headroom for boats. In 1938 the Champion Bridge Company of Wilmington, Ohio reinforced the underside with steel channels and angles at a cost of $1,194, changing its look very little. The bridge remains open to traffic. It was recognized as one of the longest and most unusual covered bridges in Ohio, one of five in Vinton County, and the best surviving example of its humpbacked type in the county, since a similar bridge nearby is badly damaged.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls the bridge, with its "humpbacked" construction, one of the longest and most unusual covered bridges in Ohio. It is one of five covered bridges in Vinton County, and the only other one of similar construction has been severely damaged and probably will not be repaired. Its setting over Raccoon Creek is also cited as adding to its worth.
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 73001545, listed April 11, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4 mi. SW of Wilkesville over Raccoon Creek, Wilkesville |
|---|---|
| County | Vinton County |
| Listed | April 11, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001545 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1874 |
| Architect / builder | Martin E. McGrath and Lyman Wells, local contractors |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition and altered; still functional, with cars able to drive through it on Geer Road. Major repair with steel reinforcement was done in 1938. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.04793, -82.37616 (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 73001545.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15267405
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.