About Bell Covered Bridge
Bell Covered Bridge is a historic 52-foot Multiple Kingpost truss bridge located near Barlow in Washington County, Ohio. Built in 1888 by E.B. Henderson, it crosses Falls Creek, a tributary of Wolf Creek. The bridge is named after the Bell family, who once owned the adjacent farm.
History of Bell Covered Bridge
Bell Covered Bridge was constructed in 1888 by E.B. Henderson, a prolific bridge builder who constructed 28 bridges in Washington County over a 24-year period. Henderson used the Multiple Kingpost truss design, also known as the Buckingham truss, which was unpatented and affordable. The bridge features distinctive wrought-iron tie downs anchored to the abutments, an engineering technique used in southeastern Ohio to counteract frequent flooding. In late 2012, the Bell Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was permanently closed to vehicle traffic on September 12, 2022, and a bypass was completed in November 2022.
Architecture and Design
The bridge employs the Multiple Kingpost through truss design, consisting of a series of vertical posts and braces forming multiple triangles. At 52 feet in length, it features weatherboarded walls with vertical siding, a metal roof, and cut-stone abutments. The wrought-iron tie downs anchored to the abutments are a distinctive engineering feature designed to prevent the bridge from being washed away during floods.
Visiting Bell Covered Bridge
Bell Covered Bridge is located on Bell Road (Township Road 39) near Barlow in Barlow Township. From State Route 339, travel about 5.5 miles and turn onto Township Road 39 (Bell Road). The bridge is surrounded by woods and farmland, offering a picturesque setting. While the bridge is now closed to vehicle traffic and bypassed, visitors can still view and photograph this historic structure.