About John Bright #2 Covered Bridge
The John Bright #2 Covered Bridge is a 75-foot span featuring a unique combination of Inverted Bowstring and Burr Arch construction, built in 1881 by Augustus Borneman & Sons. Now located on the Ohio University Lancaster campus, it serves as the gateway to Lancaster Festival concerts and connects to the Fairfield Heritage Trail.
History of John Bright #2 Covered Bridge
Built in 1881 in the Bright Settlement area on Bish Road, the bridge originally crossed Poplar Creek. Augustus Borneman was a Prussian immigrant who built several covered bridges in the county. In April 1988, the bridge was moved 12 miles to its current location at Ohio University Lancaster. The restoration project took over two years and cost over $15,000, completed in 1990. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Architecture and Design
The bridge features a unique combination of Inverted Bowstring and Burr Arch construction, making it architecturally distinctive. Its timbers are made of American Chestnut, which is rare in Ohio where most covered bridges used white oak or yellow poplar. The total cost of the original bridge was $1,920.
Visiting John Bright #2 Covered Bridge
The bridge is located at 1570 Granville Pike on the Ohio University Lancaster campus. It spans Fetters Run and serves the Fairfield Heritage Trail (Lancaster Bike Path). Nearby is the John Bright #1 Iron Bridge, a unique 90-foot iron suspension bridge from 1884. Both bridges are easily accessible from the university parking lot.