Bridge of Dreams facts for kids
The Bridge of Dreams is a very long covered bridge located near Brinkhaven, Ohio. It stretches about 370 feet! This bridge was first built in the 1920s as a railroad bridge for trains. It was later covered in 1998. It is the second longest covered bridge in Ohio, after the Smolen–Gulf Bridge. It is also the third longest covered bridge in the entire United States.
A Bridge with a Dream
The Bridge of Dreams crosses the Mohican River in Knox County, Ohio. It is a special bridge used by people walking and riding bikes. It is part of the Mohican Valley Trail. This trail was built on an old railroad track that trains no longer used. The bridge is closed to cars and trucks. However, Amish buggies often use it to cross the river.
From Train Tracks to Trail
A railroad bridge was first built at this spot in the 1920s. It carried the Pennsylvania Railroad line over the river. By the early 1990s, the train line was no longer in use. A group of local people and businesses came up with a plan. They wanted to turn the abandoned railroad line into a multi-use path. This path would stretch from the Holmes County line to Danville.
Making the Dream a Reality
The most exciting part of their plan was to cover the 370-foot railroad bridge. Some people thought this idea was too expensive. They said the people who wanted to cover the bridge were "dreaming." This is how the project got its name, the "Bridge of Dreams."
The planners worked hard to raise money. They collected almost $90,000 through donations. They also received a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The "Bridge of Dreams" was finished in December 1998. It was officially opened in April 1999. The Mohican Valley Trail opened on June 15, 2001. Today, the trail connects the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Holmes County Trails.
