Eldean Covered Bridge facts for kids
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Eldean Covered Bridge
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2002 HAER photo
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Eldean Road over the Great Miami River |
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| Nearest city | Troy, Ohio |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1860 |
| Architectural style | Long truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001492 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 20, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 2016 |
The Eldean Covered Bridge is a very old and important bridge in Miami County, Ohio. It crosses the Great Miami River just north of Troy, Ohio. This bridge was built in 1860. It's one of the best examples of a special design called a "Long truss." This design was invented by an engineer named Stephen Harriman Long in 1830.
The Eldean Covered Bridge is 224 feet (68 m) long. This makes it the longest bridge of its kind still standing today. Because it's so unique, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Later, in 2016, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a really important part of American history.
What Makes the Eldean Bridge Special?
The Eldean Covered Bridge is found north of Troy, Ohio. It stretches across the Great Miami River. The bridge connects Concord Township and Staunton Township. It's on a part of County Road 33 that cars don't use much anymore.
How the Bridge is Built
This bridge has two main sections, called spans. It rests on strong stone supports at each end and in the middle. The middle support has a special pointed shape. This shape helps to cut through the water flow. The bridge is 231 feet (70 m) long in total. Each span is about 108 feet (33 m) long and 21 feet (6.4 m) wide. The road inside is 17 feet (5.2 m) wide. It has a maximum height of 13 feet (4.0 m).
The bridge has a metal roof with a pointed top, like a house. Its outside walls are made of vertical wooden boards. There are small square openings on the sides. These let light into the bridge.
The History of the Eldean Bridge
County Road 33 was first planned in 1847. It helped people get to a small town that served the Miami and Erie Canal. The bridge you see today was built in 1860. It was actually the second bridge to stand in this spot.
The main structure of the bridge uses a design called the Long truss. This design was patented by engineer Stephen Harriman Long. The Long truss was very important. It was one of the first bridge designs to use real engineering math. It also introduced the idea of "prestressed" parts. These parts help the bridge handle the weight of traffic.
The Eldean Covered Bridge is one of the best examples of this truss type. It has not been changed much over the years. It is also the longest bridge of its kind still standing. This is especially true since the Old Blenheim Bridge in New York was destroyed. On December 23, 2016, the Eldean Covered Bridge was officially named a National Historic Landmark.
