About Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge
The Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge is a historic Queenpost Truss bridge spanning the Middle Fork Salt Creek near Allensville in northwestern Vinton County, Ohio. Built in 1875 by noted local engineer George Washington Pilcher, the bridge sits along what was once a major transportation route between Marietta and Chillicothe. The bridge was bypassed around 2000 and is now open to pedestrians only.
History of Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge
The bridge was constructed in 1875 by George Washington Pilcher, a Civil War veteran and leading engineer in southeastern Ohio. Pilcher was responsible for building many of Vinton County's covered bridges and also contributed to the construction of Manasseh Cutler Hall on the campus of Ohio University. When built, the bridge sat amid land owned by the Grandstaff family, whose extensive holdings in the area led to the bridge being frequently called the Grandstaff Bridge. However, the name Mt. Olive Road Bridge persisted and was used when the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1963 and bypassed circa 2000 when a modern replacement bridge was constructed alongside it. Mt. Olive Road itself was historically significant as a major transportation artery, heavily used by travelers between Marietta and Chillicothe until about 1825.
Architecture and Design
The Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge uses a simple Queenpost Truss design, a traditional construction method suited for moderate span lengths. The bridge is built on stone piers and covered with a sheet metal roof. Its weatherboarded siding and classic proportions are representative of the covered bridge building tradition in southeastern Ohio during the 1870s. The bridge has been well preserved despite its age, qualifying for National Register recognition both for its historically significant engineering and its contribution to Ohio's transportation history.
Visiting Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge
The Mt. Olive Road Covered Bridge is located at the intersection of Mt. Olive Road and Goose Creek Road, approximately 1.3 miles north of Allensville on Mt. Olive Road. From downtown McArthur, follow State Route 50 West approximately four miles to Mt. Olive Road, then turn right and follow for 1.3 miles to reach the bridge. There is a pull-off area at the intersection where visitors can park, walk through the bridge, and take photographs. The bridge has become a popular local attraction known as a kissing bridge. The surrounding countryside offers scenic open views that contrast with the heavily forested landscape typical of Vinton County.