About Brown Covered Bridge
The Brown Covered Bridge spans White Oak Creek on New Hope-White Oak Station Road northeast of New Hope in Brown County, Ohio. This 129-foot covered bridge features a Smith truss design, a distinctive configuration developed by Robert W. Smith of Toledo, Ohio. Built in 1878 by the Smith Bridge Company, the bridge was closed to motor traffic in 1999 but remains preserved as a historic pedestrian crossing.
History of Brown Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1878 during the height of covered bridge building in southwestern Ohio, the Brown Covered Bridge served the rural farming community connecting areas around New Hope and Sardinia. The Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio built numerous covered bridges throughout the state, and the Brown Bridge is one of several surviving examples of their work in Brown County. After more than a century of service, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1999 to preserve its historic integrity. The bridge has become a nesting place for vultures, adding to its rustic character.
Architecture and Design
The Brown Covered Bridge employs the Smith truss, a patented design that features a combination of wooden diagonals and iron vertical rods. At 129 feet in length, it represents a typical span for this truss type. The Smith truss was particularly popular in Ohio due to the presence of the Smith Bridge Company, which actively promoted and constructed bridges using this efficient design throughout the region. The bridge retains its traditional covered appearance with wooden siding protecting the structural elements.
Visiting Brown Covered Bridge
The Brown Covered Bridge is located northeast of New Hope on New Hope-White Oak Station Road (County Road 5), approximately 2 miles from US Route 68. While the bridge is closed to motor traffic with guardrails blocking the entrance, visitors can walk across the span and explore the structure. The scenic White Oak Creek provides a peaceful backdrop. The bridge is one of five covered bridges in Brown County and can be combined with visits to the nearby New Hope Covered Bridge for a covered bridge tour of the area.