About Bay Covered Bridge
The Bay Covered Bridge is a 63-foot Multiple Kingpost Truss bridge now located at the Vinton County Fairgrounds near McArthur, Ohio. Originally built in 1876 to span Little Raccoon Creek in Clinton Township, the bridge was relocated several miles to the fairgrounds in 1967. Today it carries pedestrians over Lake Rupert, a small pond on the fairgrounds property, and serves as a unique entrance attraction during the annual Vinton County Junior Fair.
History of Bay Covered Bridge
The Bay Covered Bridge was constructed in 1876 over Little Raccoon Creek, originally located on Tinker Road approximately two miles north of Hamden in Clinton Township, just east of State Route 683. The bridge served the local community for nearly a century before the construction of Lake Rupert necessitated its relocation. In 1967, the bridge was moved several miles to its present home at the Vinton County Fairgrounds northwest of McArthur on State Route 93. Rather than being destroyed to make way for the lake, the community chose to preserve this piece of local heritage by giving it a new purpose at the fairgrounds. The bridge now spans a pond on the fairgrounds property and serves as a distinctive pedestrian attraction.
Architecture and Design
The Bay Covered Bridge uses a Multiple Kingpost Truss design, spanning 63 feet in length. The Multiple Kingpost pattern provided sufficient strength for the bridge's original role carrying traffic over Little Raccoon Creek. Though now serving only pedestrian traffic at its relocated fairgrounds site, the bridge retains its historic structural elements and represents the engineering traditions of 1870s southeastern Ohio bridge building. The bridge's truss work and covered design remain intact, offering visitors an authentic example of 19th-century covered bridge construction.
Visiting Bay Covered Bridge
The Bay Covered Bridge is located at the Vinton County Fairgrounds at 31471 State Route 93, approximately one mile north of downtown McArthur. From the McArthur town square, turn north on State Route 93 (North Market Street) and follow for about one mile to the fairgrounds on the left. The bridge is visible from State Route 93 even when the fairgrounds are closed. The best time to experience the bridge is during the annual Vinton County Junior Fair in July, when the bridge serves as a pedestrian entrance to the fairgrounds. The Vinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau in downtown McArthur provides maps and information for a self-guided covered bridge driving tour of all four remaining county bridges.