Lancaster Bridge served new life by history, heroics
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

New old bridge Lancaster Covered Bridge, located on CR 500W. near Owasco, was re-opened for travel in late 2006 after undergoing historically accurate rehabilitation. Its official opening date was Jan. 30, 2007. Carroll County Commissioner Bill Brown said residents living close to the bridge were invited to help choose roof and siding colors and other fine touches. "We're very grateful for their patience and help," Brown commented. "It's a beautiful bridge because people cared to make it so." Comet photo by Kevin Schnepp

Every historic bridge has a story to tell. And if we listen to its story, we will find it mirrors our own life experiences in many ways.

Through the story of Lancaster Covered Bridge, we are reminded that we nurture what we love and sometimes must fight to keep it alive.

Spanning 128 feet across the North Fork of the Wildcat Creek on CR 500W near Owasco, the bridge was built in 1872 by Smith Bridge Co. It was named after the town of New Lancaster, formerly located atop the hill on the north side of the creek. But the town disappeared before the covered bridge was built.

Lancaster is one of two covered bridges remaining in the county. The other covered bridge is located at Adams Mill. Both were built simultaneously by the same company. They were virtually identical upon construction and featured cast iron abutments patented by Alpheus Wheelock on Feb. 15, 1870.

More than 137 years have passed since Lancaster Bridge was approved for construction by county commissioners. Current commissioner Bill Brown said the commissioners in office then got more than they expected when they had the bridge built.

"When the commissioners ordered Lancaster to be built, they didn't know they were getting cast iron abutments," Brown explained. "When they made the discovery and talked with the construction company about it, five years were added to the bridge guarantee. And here it still is today."

Brown said the original bridge was pre-fabricated in Miami, Ohio and shipped by train to its destination.

Since then, the bridge has undergone at least three significant rehabilitation projects.

The first was in 1972, when Jack Isom Construction Co. replaced broken floorboards and posted a three-ton load restriction.

In 1981, Howard Heavilon added a steel support structure to the underside of the bridge. He also replaced floor beams and decking.

Brown said previous rehabilitation projects were helpful in keeping the bridge operable for so long, but serious issues persisted. He said major flooding in 2003 did not help matters.

"The flood waters were 18 inches above the bottom of the bridge in 2003," Brown said. "It was tearing the bridge apart. We had to do something, or it more than likely would not have survived the night."

Brown said all he, his son, Ross Brown, and fellow commissioner Loren Hylton could think to do during the flood was add more weight to the bridge.

The three men worked from midnight to morning spreading 20 tons of gravel over the inside surface of the bridge in efforts to keep it from washing downstream. Brown said water was being forced through slits in the siding as powerful as a fire hose.

"It was a rushing torrent," he said. "It was so loud and everything was shaking violently, but once we got the gravel in place, it wasn't shaking anymore."

Brown said he credits their efforts and steel support rods, which he said were singing from being stretched so taut, for keeping the bridge in place.

"I'm sure those two things are important reasons the bridge is here today," he commented.

After floodwaters subsided, it was evident major renovations were needed in order for the bridge to remain viable.

County commissioners approved the bridge's biggest rehabilitation to date and work began in the summer of 2005.

Lower and upper chords were replaced along with the stabilization of the cast iron abutments. The floor system and siding were also replaced.

"Once we got into it, there was a lot more rot than had been anticipated," Brown explained. "But we wanted to do it right this time."

The original Wheelock abutment, the heart of the bridge's support system, remains. Brown said that feature, along with guidelines followed during the bridge rehabilitation, helped keep the bridge on the register at the State Historic Preservation Office.

Re-opened to traffic in October 2006, the bridge is once again a visible symbol of the county's heritage.

Bill Brown encouraged residents and visitors to enjoy a quiet country drive to see the rehabilitated bridge.

"Lancaster is a sight to behold," he said. "It's a beautiful area and a bright spot in the county's history. To visit and enjoy Lancaster Bridge and our county's many other historic sites is truly wonderful."