Ohio Covered Bridges - Jediah Hill

The Jediah Hill bridge. 10/3/2025 dwm

It's the last surviving covered bridge in Hamilton County out of 80 that provided safe passage across rivers and valleys.

It was built by Jediah Hill in 1850 so farmers could bring grain to his mill. According to a historical marker next to the bridge, Hill also witnessed test runs for a machine that could harvest crops mechanically much-faster than workers could cut grain with a sickle. That machine was a reaper, a forefather of today's combines.

The bridge crosses a stream before it continues downhill as the valley narrows, which increases possible damage when too much rain falls.

A new floor was installed when re-built in 1981.

 The bridge was taken apart piece by piece in 1981 so new concrete supports could be poured, then it was re-built with new plank siding and a shake roof.

 The bridge is less than 100 yards from state highway 126 where locals and commuters drive past. Now the bridge takes locals to work and school and the rest of their day-to-day lives, while occasionally fans of covered bridges hunt it down so they can add it to their collection. 

 

New side planks were part of the re-build. 10/3/25

I didn't get a lot of shots of Jediah's bridge and some that I did take aren't good enough to show here. You can see what it looks like as you approach the bridge.

Jediah Hill Bridge 

Built: 1850

Truss: Queen

Length: 44 feet over the west fork of Hill Creek