About Brown Covered Bridge
The Brown Covered Bridge spans 129 feet across White Oak Creek on a bypassed section of New Hope-White Oak Station Road near Sardinia in Brown County, Ohio. Built in 1878 using the Smith truss design, this historic bridge is now closed to vehicular traffic but remains a picturesque example of 19th-century bridge construction.
History of Brown Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1878 by the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio, the Brown Covered Bridge served as an important crossing over White Oak Creek for over a century. The Smith Bridge Company was one of Ohio's premier covered bridge builders, originally specializing in wooden covered bridges before expanding into metal bridge construction. The bridge was bypassed and closed to motor vehicles in 1999, though it remains standing as a historic landmark. The structure has been noted as a nesting place for vultures in recent years.
Architecture and Design
The Brown Covered Bridge features the distinctive Smith truss design, a patented system developed by Robert W. Smith of Miami County, Ohio. The Smith truss uses a combination of diagonal and vertical members to distribute weight efficiently. At 129 feet in length, the bridge demonstrates the Smith truss's capability for moderate spans. The unpainted wooden siding and traditional construction methods reflect the vernacular covered bridge building traditions of southwestern Ohio.
Visiting Brown Covered Bridge
The Brown Covered Bridge is located off US Route 68, turning onto New Hope-White Oak Station Road (CR 5) and traveling approximately 2 miles northeast of New Hope. The bridge is on a bypassed section of road but remains accessible for pedestrian viewing. Visitors can walk across the span to experience this piece of Brown County's transportation heritage. The surrounding area offers scenic views of White Oak Creek and rural farmland characteristic of southwestern Ohio.