Rating:
2 votes

Johnson Creek Covered Bridge 17-101-01

Robertson County, Kentucky

Photos 

Overview

The Johnson Creek Covered Bridge is currently undergoing restoration.

Photo taken by James McCray

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BH Photo #112804

Map 

Description 

This bridge was originally built by Jacob Bower as a two-span Smith truss structure resting on stone abutments and a central stone pier. In 1912, Jacob Bower's grandson Louis added a supporting arch. When the bridge was rehabilitated in 2008, the original stone pier was removed, converting it into a single-span structure.

Facts 

Overview
Smith through truss bridge over Johnson Creek on on an old alignment of KY 1029
Location
Robertson County, Kentucky
Status
Open to pedestrians only
History
Built 1874 by Jacob Bower; reconstructed 2007-08
Builders
- Arnold M Graton Associates Inc of Ashland, New Hampshire (2007-08 reconstruction)
- Jacob Bower (contractor)
Design
Perhaps the only still existing Bower Isometric Truss
Dimensions
Span length: 131.0 ft.
Total length: 131.0 ft.
Recognition
Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on September 27, 1976
Approximate latitude, longitude
+38.48192, -83.97825   (decimal degrees)
38°28'55" N, 83°58'42" W   (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates
17/240211/4263490 (zone/easting/northing)
Quadrangle map:
Cowan
Inventory numbers
NRHP 76000941 (National Register of Historic Places reference number)
BH 36355 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Categories 

19th Century (9,625)
Arnold M Graton Associates Inc (12)
Built 1874 (142)
Built during 1870s (1,500)
Bypassed (190)
Covered (3,338)
Jacob Bower (4)
Kentucky (1,450)
NR-listed (3,027)
 Open to pedestrians (4,692)
Owned by state (16,770)
Robertson County, Kentucky (9)
Smith truss (79)
Span length 125-175 feet (4,597)
Through truss (19,023)
Total length 125-175 feet (6,467)
Truss (38,301)

Update Log 

  • June 19, 2022: Updated by Paul Plassman: Updated status from "open to traffic" to "open to pedestrians only"
  • June 18, 2022: Updated by Paul Plassman: Added more detailed history in description
  • March 14, 2022: New photos from Paul Plassman
  • January 19, 2019: New photo from Melissa Brand-Welch
  • November 18, 2016: Updated by Will Truax: Changed "Owner" and "Design" - Long misidentified as a Smith
  • September 22, 2016: New photos from Jack Schmidt
  • August 18, 2016: New photos from Janis Ford
  • September 23, 2015: Photo imported by Dave King
  • September 11, 2009: New photos from Brian McKee
  • October 24, 2008: New photo from Bill Eichelberger
  • July 13, 2008: Updated by James McCray
  • March 10, 2008: Added by James McCray

Sources 

  • James McCray - jamesinslocomb [at] yahoo [dot] com
  • Bill Eichelberger
  • Brian McKee - bjmckee51 [at] yahoo [dot] com
  • Wikipedia
  • Janis Ford
  • Jack Schmidt - jjturtle [at] earthlink [dot] net
  • Will Truax - Bridgewright [at] gmail [dot] com
  • Melissa Brand-Welch - melissabrandwelch [at] msn [dot] com
  • Paul Plassman
  • NRHP nomination form - {{ metaDescription }}
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Comments 

Johnson Creek Covered Bridge 17-101-01
Posted June 11, 2016, by Scott Gray

I was at this bridge on June 10 '16 and it was closed to all but foot and bike traffic. Looking at the pictures on the Johnson Creek Covered Bridge Facebook page it seems to have been closed to traffic since at least Aug '15.

Johnson Creek Covered Bridge
Posted October 27, 2013, by Gail Blanton (Orphagail [at] aol [dot] com)

The bridge is restored and open to traffic six tons or less. Enjoyed seeing the trusses on each side. Wonderful way to spend a fall day. Someone obviously takes care of the approaches. They were neatly mowed and had picnic tables. A little out of the way but the roads were good.