Windsor Mills Covered Bridge

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One of several covered bridges in Ashtabula County is located on Wiswell Road just south of US Route 322. Because of the many rock ledges, the early settlers were unable to cross Phelps Creek at this point. These stalwart citizens of New England descent saw a need for a bridge at this strategic spot.

Records indicate that the covered bridge was built in 1867 by residents in the community for easy access to and from Windsor Mills to areas to the south. Covered bridges were commonly built in the early 19th century throughout Ohio and the United States. Timber was plentiful and of good quality and there was a class of skilled workmen who were able to select the right materials, design the bridges and do an excellent job of building. There are two explanations for the covers on the bridges. One is that the covers were for the protection of the floor from the weather: the other for the protection of the traveler form the weather when overtaken by storms. They would hurry their horses to find shelter in the bridge since houses were miles apart.


Sometimes the covered bridges were also referred to as "kissing bridges" and "wishing bridges". the sides and ends were convenient for notices of sales and of church affairs plus other items of general interest to the community. Across the top of many bridges was the characteristic notice "Walk you horses" because some of the floor boards were usually loose and might frighten the horses.

In early 1972, this historical bridge was deemed unsafe for vehicle traffic. Rather than destroy it and replace it with another structure, the Highway Department elected to re-route the road an save the bridge. A a result of fundraising efforts by 4-H members in northeast Ohio and a historical grant form the State of Ohio, the bridge was restored with a new roof, new siding and necessary support structures in 1979. It is now maintained for foot traffic only with the path from the re-routed road up to 4-H Camp Whitewood. Its historic value has been preserved for use by 4-H campers and others in the area.

For many years, artists and photographers throughout northeastern Ohio have considered this particular covered bridge a picturesque landmark. Looking at the bridge from the stream bank below, one will see at least three different types of masonry used through the years plus the very careful construction by early builders who used the cut stone and then finally the concrete of recent years. Photographs and artists' pictures of the bridge from the stream bank are one of the more popular covered bridge pictures in eh entire state of Ohio.