Bergstresser Covered Bridge, Canal Winchester Ohio
The Bergstresser Bridge was built in 1887 by the Columbus Bridge Company at a cost of $2,690. The abutments were laid by M. Corbett. The name Bergstresser comes from one Daniel Bergstresser who owned 79 acres to the east of the bridge site in section 31 of Madison Twp. This is the original bridge on this site. Louis Kramer built a grist and saw mill here in 1808 and the ford was always known as Kramer's Ford although the mill has been gone for many years. The Partridge truss was undoubtedly chosen for this bridge because its inventor, Reuban Partridge (U. S. Patent #127,791, June 11, 1872) of Marysville, Ohio, was an officer in the Columbus Bridge Company at that time.
The road carried across Lt. Walnut Creek by the Bergstresser Bridge became SR 674 in the late 1930s and the state assumed ownership of the bridge. In 1956, the state relocated Route 674 and the covered bridge reverted to the county. This by-passed section of road now serves one home and the Canal Winchester sewage plant.
The Bergstresser Bridge is a well-built, sturdy structure, an outstanding example of late 19th-century engineering skills. It is the last original covered bridge in Franklin County and one of only 6 examples of the Partridge truss in existence today. The Franklin County Engineering Department keeps this bridge in excellent condition and has placed historical signs over each portal.
Bridge Description
The Bergstresser Bridge is a one-span covered wooden truss bridge over Lt. Walnut Creek. The bridge measures 134½ feet from portal to portal and 119' clear span. The overall width of the bridge is 16 feet with a 13-foot roadway and a 13-foot overhead clearance.
The abutments are of cut stone laid with mortar. The roof is 16-inch cedar shingles and the siding is vertical white pine boards. The portals are projected with a 9-foot overhang and are finished with 2½ inch battens.
The Bergstresser Bridge has a 10-panel triple web Partridge truss with an open center panel. These trusses are of oak and are 15 feet in height. The vertical truss members are 6" by 11½" and the diagonals are 5½" by 9", 5½" by 8", 5½" by 7" and 5½" by 6". The lower chords are 3½" by 11" and the top chords are 6½" by 8" and 7½" by 8". The Partridge truss as described by Reuban Partridge in his Letters Patent June 11, 1872, is briefly as follows: upper and lower chords in 2 sections, the ties or posts are securely bolted to the chords and stand at an angle of 60 with the horizontal plane. The main braces are arranged in pairs and stand at an angle of 45 with the horizontal plane. The two braces of each pair are parallel with each other and pass upon opposite sides of the posts and are bolted in the middle to the middle of the posts. The ends of the braces rest against iron foot pieces which are interposed between the ends of the braces and the posts and the chords. These footpieces may be omitted and the ends of the braces sprung together and bolted so their ends rest against the posts and chords. Mr. Partridge claimed as new his angling of the braces and posts, the chords in two sections and the bifurcated iron foot pieces. (These were not used in Bergstresser Bridge).
The Bergstresser Bridge is on its original site and except for red paint on the portals, its appearance has changed little over the years. The siding has never been painted and has weathered to a soft grey. The siding has been replaced when necessary. The entire roof was reshingled in 1971.
North Portal of bridge looking south (1973)
