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 The Helmick Covered Bridge was once known as the Doughty Bridge,
and was named after a fork of Killbuck Creek. In 1863, during
the civil war John Shrake of Newark, Ohio built the Helmick Covered
Bridge at a cost of $2107.15.
The Helmick is a multiple
kingpost truss, it has two spans and has an extremely long truss
for this simplistic truss design. The bridge spans Killbuck Creek,
it carries a tremendous amount of water which is characteristic
of most
streams in the area, in that it is prone to flooding. In 1994
restoration of this bridge is in the process.
The bridge was closed long
after it should have been, evidenced by the floor condition.
The flooring has a ripple affect, sagging from the stress of
the weight it was not designed to support. The bridge has a tin
roof and naturally weathered siding. Winter of 1995 finds that
the Helmick has been completely restored, the truss made of oak
as well as all the interior wood. The siding is of poplar and
cedar shingles have been added to the roof.
 The Helmick bridge committee, working
in cooperation with the county engineer's office and the Ohio
Department of Transportation has received $192,000.00 in federal
grants to help restore the bridge. An additional $58,000.00 must
be raised to ensure this projects success. Construction of the
renovation began in July of 1995. The restoration was completed
in 1996.
 Winter is the best time to view this
bridge. Listed on the National Register of Historical Places,
the Helmick is the last of 100 covered bridges once found in
Coshochton County. The restoration committee's objective is to
restore the covered bridge as close to the original form as possible,
to allow pedestrian and light vehicular traffic. The committee
anticipated the structure could be retained for authenticity,
but broken parts and any unsafe wood will need to be replaced
with new material. The reasons for saving the bridge vary, they
include: keeping a piece of history alive, providing scenic pleasure,
promoting tourism and restoring a landmark. January of 1997 finds
that this bridge has been completely restored and is open to
light vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
DIRECTIONS: Clark Township. From Blissfield on
SR 60, turn right on CR 25, two miles at Helmick on left.
Spain Creek Bridge Update:
On Going Covered Bridge
Renovations-I spoke
with Steve A. Stolte the Union County  Engineer, Steve tells me that the
reason the Spain Creek Covered Bridge is in two colors is because
the interior is painted a light color to let more light into
the bridge and that the renovation of the Spain is still continuing;
this most recent photograph as of 14 January 2000 shows that
the new roof has been completed but the windows eaves still need
to be done. If you have never been to this site before you may
click on the "blue" Spain
Creek Covered Bridge
(also found in the upper right hand corner.) All of my articles
have been archived so that you may go back and refer to each
covered bridge article.
For more about covered bridges that appeared
in previous issues, see the
links at the top of the page. For more photographs by
Mark Berger, go to his website: http://www.focusfoto.com
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Ohio's Covered Bridges
