Covered bridges are more than just historical structures—they are testaments to human ingenuity, resilience, and the desire to connect. Each bridge, from the modest single spans to the longer, more complex designs, speaks to an era when craftsmanship was built to last.
They endure the elements, offering safe passage through time and change. Whether crossing a quiet creek or a bustling river, these bridges stand as quiet witnesses to the lives and stories of those who pass over them. They remind us that even in an ever-changing world, some things—like the drive to protect and preserve—remain constant.

Ashtabula County Covered Bridges

Ashtabula County in Northeast Ohio boasts 19 covered bridges, making it the covered bridge capital of Ohio. I live not far from Ashtabula County. It’s literally, right down the road.

Last Thanksgiving, my husband and I found ourselves alone for Thanksgiving Day. I made a tiny Thanksgiving “feast,” and then we drove down the road to view the covered bridges near us. It was not the first time we did so, but covered bridges tend to call to you when you have a need to spend a quiet afternoon and take in the past, right before your eyes.

As an artist and photographer, I take my time to take in all the details. I stand there in front of each one we visited. I marvel at the structures that were built so long ago as I move around each structure to view it from every angle. This Thanksgiving Day was perfect for taking photographs. The air was cool, the sun warm, and a few gorgeous clouds dotted the sky. By the end of the day, we had a beautiful sunset to complement the structures.

Captivating Structures

There’s something special about the stillness of a covered bridge. It’s as if time itself pauses the moment you step onto the wooden planks. The busy world seems to slip away, and all that’s left is a connection to the past—a time when life was simpler, and the pace of living was slower. I find it easy to get lost in the craftsmanship that went into building each bridge. The way the timbers are joined together, the creaking of the boards underfoot, even the smell of aged wood—it all creates a sensory experience that’s both nostalgic and grounding.

It’s not just the structures themselves that are captivating, but also the stories they carry. You can imagine the farmers driving their horse-drawn wagons across these spans, or the children running home from school, racing across the bridge with laughter in the air. These bridges were once the lifeblood of rural communities, essential for trade, travel, and connection. In their heyday, they were as important as any highway is today.

Transported Through Time

Each time I visit a covered bridge, it feels like stepping into a different era. The atmosphere around these wooden structures is steeped in a kind of quiet wisdom, and for a moment, you can let yourself believe you’ve traveled back to a world without cars, phones, or the rush of modern life. I find myself lingering a little longer, taking in the shadows that stretch across the water below and the way the light filters through the gaps in the wood.

The bridges of Ashtabula County hold this magic especially well. Some date back to the Civil War era, and you can feel the weight of history in every creak and groan of the timber. Many have been lovingly restored. Their truss design—whether Town, Pratt, or Lattice—giving insight into the ingenuity that went into their construction. Standing in front of these structures, you realize they were built not just to serve a purpose, but to last through the ages.

And they have. Through floods, storms, and the wear of countless footsteps, these bridges have endured, outlasting many of the roads and buildings around them. They are monuments to a time when things were made to last, built not only with the tools of the time but with the hands and hearts of those who knew their work would stand for generations. I sometimes think of the bridge builders who must have worked through hot summer days or chilly autumn mornings, each swing of the hammer echoing their determination to create something meaningful.

A Thanksgiving Tradition

That Thanksgiving, as my husband and I crossed each bridge, there was a feeling of reverence in the air. The sun began to dip low, casting a golden glow over the landscape, and the sound of the creek below echoed softly through the timbers. It was quiet—so quiet that you could almost hear the past breathing, as if the bridge itself was remembering all the travelers it had sheltered over the years.

We didn’t speak much as we walked. There’s something about these bridges that invites silence, a contemplative sort of quiet where your mind can wander freely. As we reached the middle of the bridge, I stopped to look out at the water. The surface shimmered with reflections of the sky and trees, like a mirror to another world. It’s easy to forget, in moments like that, that you’re still in the present—still bound to the here and now.

But that’s the magic of these places, isn’t it? Covered bridges don’t just span rivers or creeks; they span time. They are a direct link to the past, a reminder that life wasn’t always as fast-paced and frenetic as it is now. In the quiet of a covered bridge, you can let your mind drift back to simpler times, when the most important thing was the journey itself, not how quickly you could get to the destination.

Stories in the Wood

The bridges themselves tell stories too. Every beam and board has been worn smooth by countless hands, the floorboards scuffed by generations of feet. There are initials carved into the wood—love letters from those who crossed before us. Some of the engravings are so old they’ve weathered into barely visible marks, but others are fresh, standing out sharply against the dark grain of the wood.

I always wonder about the people who left those marks. Were they young lovers, hoping to leave a piece of themselves behind? Or perhaps travelers from faraway places, making a small imprint on a place they’d never see again? Whoever they were, their stories are now part of the bridge, etched into its history for as long as the wood lasts.

The Appeal of Preservation

In a world where everything is constantly changing, these bridges are a reminder that some things are worth preserving. We live in a time when it’s easy to forget our roots, to move so fast that we lose sight of where we came from. But covered bridges stand as a testament to the importance of holding on to what matters—of slowing down, even for just a moment, to appreciate the beauty of what’s come before us.

They remind us that the past isn’t something to discard or forget. It’s something to cherish, to protect, and to learn from. As an artist, I find endless inspiration in these structures. They are a perfect blend of function and form, a symbol of resilience and beauty that has stood the test of time.

Each time I visit one of these bridges, I’m reminded of the value of craftsmanship, of slowing down, and of taking the time to really see the world around us. And each time I leave, I carry a piece of that past with me, feeling a little more connected to the world, and to those who came before.

Conclusion

So, if you ever find yourself near a covered bridge, take a moment to stop and appreciate it. Step onto the wooden planks and let yourself be transported. You might just find yourself, for a moment, living in a simpler time.