1868+1913+2023 Harpersfield Covered Bridge over, and Dam on, Grand River in Harpersfield, OH

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite)

The original two covered spans were built in 1868. In 1913, one of the spans was replaced by a truss because the span was destroyed by a flood. "This metal truss span is among the earlier rivet-connected through truss bridges in Ohio." [HistoricBridges] I think pin-connected trusses were the design technique before riveted gusset plates were developed.

 

Street View, Oct 2021

 

Bridgespotting posted

The most unusual bridge in Ashtabula County is Harpersfield, crossing the Grand River. Consisting of two spans and more than 200 feet long, the bridge was the longest covered bridge in the state prior to the construction of Smolen-Gulf in 2008. The most unusual feature is the result of a flood on the Grand River in 1913, which cut a new channel on one end of the covered bridge. The covered bridge was not damaged, but a new section of bridge needed to be added to create a longer bridge. This section, an additional 140 feet long, is a steel through-truss span that joins to the wooden span in the middle of the river, creating a hybrid wood/steel crossing. I understand the bridge was restored again in 2023, so it may look different now.

More than any other bridge in the county, the Harpersfield Bridge has been made into an accessible tourist attraction. The bridge is in a county Metropark with plenty of parking, and the Covered Bridge Shoppe at the eastern end sells bridge-related items, art, crafts, and snacks. Both the steel and wooden spans have a pedestrian sidewalk, and there are even several love padlocks attached to a metal component on the wooden railing. There is an Ohio Historical Marker plaque at the western end and multiple plaques inside the covered span. These include a National Register of Historic Places plaque and the Century Bridge plaque.

Chapter 3 of my book, Bridgespotting Part 2: A Guide to Even More Bridges that Connect People, Places, and Times, includes a description of a tour of all 19 covered bridges in Ashtabula County. There are also photos of most of the bridges posted onto [www.bridgespotting.com](http://www.bridgespotting.com/).

Bill Medvec: This picture is old. The bridge has been completely renovated. Was closed for a long time. The dam is also new and had lamprey barriers installed.

 

Ginger Whitehead commented on the above post

Ginger Whitehead commented on the above post
It now has a walkway on both sides.

Mike Baker, Jun 2017

 

StarBeacon, Credit: Warren Dillaway/Star Beacon
"The project was awarded to Union Industrial Contractors, for a price of $6,057,260.50. One other company, Ruhlin, submitted a bid for $6,904,428.80. The estimated cost of the project was $5,625,000." The truss is now galvanized instead of painted.

Evidently, the covered bridge is now a fake. Only the covering is wood. I added the "bridgeGirderSteel" label to these notes. 

Street View, Oct 2023

The new dam replaced the drowning machine dam that we see in this photo. The stairstep design of the new dam avoids rolling water at the toe of the dam.

Monique, Jul 2021