Tag Archives: Covered Bridges

South Salem, Ohio

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A tip from Christine sent me to South Salem, Ohio last weekend. She told me about a covered bridge and a historic academy that she thought I would like. What she didn’t mention is that it’s a quaint town with a beautiful church, cute post office and the feel of a New England village.

I didn’t make many pictures here but enjoyed my brief visit immensely.

This is officially the most traveled covered bridge I’ve seen yet as it is open to traffic along a well traveled road. I saw no fewer than eight cars go through during the few minutes I hung around.

The Buckskin or South Salem Covered Bridge was built in 1873 and appears to be lovingly cared for and appreciated in the community.

If you go, be aware there’s not a great place to pull over for pictures. The side you want to photograph is when you’re entering the village. One house has a private property sign in the edge of their yard where it might be safe to stop – likely because the residents are sick of people like me pulling over for a photo. Another driveway across the road didn’t have any signs so I pulled in for a minute to do my business and moved on quickly.

The alternative is to stop in the road and that’s not especially safe on this side of the bridge but you could get by doing that on the other end.

Incidentally, this is the last remaining covered bridge in Ross County. Thanks to Christine for the great advice! It was a good day.

San Toy Covered Bridge

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I recently took my parents adventuring for a day. We found two covered bridges that I’ve been wanting to see but didn’t really want to visit on my own simply because they are a little isolated.

Turns out that taking my parents on the gravel, somewhat narrow backroads of Morgan County, Ohio may not have been the best choice.

Let’s just say they prefer the paved roads but they tried to be good sports about the ordeal. As for myself, I thought it was great fun! Pictured above is the first of the bridges – the Adams or San Toy bridge.

It spans San Toy Creek near Malta and was built in 1875. While it was closed for many years, a restoration project about seven years ago allowed the bridge to be reopened to vehicle traffic.

Here’s the view down the road from inside the bridge.

Isn’t it lovely?

I will admit that we didn’t take the best route to get there so if you go, be sure to enter from the State Route 555 side. After you’ve enjoyed the bridge, it’s probably best if you just turn around a leave the way you came.

I will leave it at that.

If you want to visit, the GPS coordinates are 39°37’29” N, 82°01’56” W.

Go and enjoy!!

A Meandering Route

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Last Friday I hopped in the car for a little socially distanced adventure. The day included a walk around historic downtown Marietta, a visit to a beautiful basilica and a few minutes at Ohio’s smallest church, as well as some country roads driving.

I traveled Route 145 north of Marietta to Route 78 over to Woodsfield and then south on Route 26. The trip north was sort of uneventful although I did spot a few interesting barns and pretty vistas.

Woodsfield is a quaint small town although I didn’t dawdle here. A storm was moving in and I was eager to start heading back to Marietta. This is the local arts and visitors center.

On 26, I weaved in and out of a storm but found moments of calm where I was still able to sightsee. This road was most rewarding as it offered up covered bridges, a mail pouch barn, old stores and remnants of settlements long abandoned.

I loved this covered bridge and spent a few minutes inside, waiting out a downpour.

And this is the site of an old store and great Mail Pouch barn.

I’ll tell you about that smallest chapel tomorrow and we’ll get back to airplanes soon but I thought you might like a break.

Adventure Day

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I went on an adventure the other day. A pal took me driving back roads that I had never been on and to caves and bridges and churches that I had never seen. Little makes me happier than an afternoon spent this way. He’s a darn good adventure partner, not caring to get his truck muddy and patient with me and my camera.

It was an overcast day so not the best for pictures but I did manage a few. Here’s a few from this trip through Morgan and Washington counties.