Eldean Covered Bridge 35-55-01

As for the name, as I recall, it is a contraction of the name Ellen Dean. Local Troy historian Thomas B. Wheeler,

who wrote Troy, the Nineteenth Century around 1970, was a

well-known local author. His daughter was also named

Ellen Dean Wheeler, and I believe he was descended from the

original owners and builders of the grain mill and elevator

complex that was located at the canal lock there at Eldean.

Allen & Wheeler was the grain business name, they also had

their own canal boat to transport grain from other buyers.

Since every canal lock had a falling-water "waste gate" the

site was perfect for a water-driven grain mill.

There is still a large grain elevator & buyer at the old

canal lock location today, just west of the covered bridge.

The rail spur that serves the elevator is notorious as its bridge over Eldean Road has

only 9'8" clearance and many trucks have been given "haircuts" when their drivers fail to heed the signs.

I have always gone by my middle name which is Eldean, but I never knew where the name came from. My great-aunt was very ill when I was born and she asked my mom to name me Eldean. Apparently, she had heard the name and liked it. She was from Oklahoma.

I was told by a former student of Wright State (who researched that area for his masters) that Mr. Altman (who owned the mill in Eldean) had a daughter named Ella Dean and named the town after her. My name came from that little town. I also have a cousin named Eldean who is a few months older than me.

My middle name is Eldean. I was named after my Aunt, Eldean Kratzer Campbell, and she came from Ohio. I've never heard the name anywhere else, but found this bridge after typing in my middle name on Photobucket, and then looking up the bridge on Dogpile, I found this page. It is kind of neat to find out where my name may have originated.

For all of you who have 'photographed' this bridge, i AM truly grateful. It was built by my Great Grandfather, William and his brother James Hamilton...of WHOM i know practically 'nothing'!! Recently, I have 'endeavored' to know MORE about these men and their father, John Hamilton, who owned a limestone quarry in Piqua, OH. William and his family 'removed' to Saginaw, MI. which is where I was raised. IF there is ANYBODY 'out' yonder who MIGHT know something OF this family's OHIOAN history......well, it goes without saying, I would be MOST 'appreciative'!!

Thanks EVER so much to ALL of you who have admired and photographed this 'structure'!!

laurie

Here are two photos of the Eldean Road Bridge.

The first is a panoramic image of which I have made prints up to 6 feet long and framed them in the siding taken from the bridge during the 2005-06 restoration project.

The second was taken from the roof of my motorhome in 2005, just before the restoration. It is used on a greeting card.

If you are interested in either as a print or card, please visit my website at www.photosamericana.com.

The bridge is open to limited vehicular traffic.

I have always been very curious about my given name Eldean. I was named by a grandmother who passed away when I was very young and where my name came from was always a mystery. I had been in education for many years and had never found the name before. While searching the internet I decided to type my name in and see what I could find and I found the Eldean Covered bridge. As well as I remember it was located on Route 33, which was the year I was born. I would love to know more about the bridge and where the name Eldean came from. I live in the state of WV, am a historian and genealogist. Any information on the name would be appreciated.

Respectfully,

Eldean

I was born in Miami County and am very familiar with

the Eldean Covered Bridge. My sister sent a newspaper

clipping of the restoration of this bridge and that

the History Channel was to have a program reguarding

the history of the bridge, however, I did not receive the

clipping until after the program was aired. My question

is will the History channel show this again, and if so

when, and if they are not is there a cd or tape that can

be purchased? I now live in California, but any thing that happens in Miami County or around Piqua and Troy is

of great interest to me.

Any information on Back to the Blue Print (Eldean Covered

Bridge)program I will be very interested.

Thanks your your interest.

Ruth Drake/Zduck