Abandoned Phantom Bridge, Kimbolton, Ohio
Starting back in 1820 a log mill was built on the south side of Wills Creek directly opposite of where the foundation of the last mill stood on the north side of the creek. This was known as a “corn cracker” mill but was later equipped for making flour and was also converted over to a saw mill.
A second mill was built in 1847 by Julius McCleary, Joseph Brown and William Frame directly across the creek from the original mill. The mill was 5 stories tall and made of timbers sawed at the original mill. This mill originally ran using water power and then later by steam. Unfortunately it burned to the ground in 1907.
A third mill was built on this site around 1908. It was operated by water power and was owned by the Kimbolton Milling Company. This newspaper clipping from 1943 shows the mill being for sale “To be removed”. Looking at old aerial photography, it looks like the 3rd mill was still standing in 1948 although now only the foundation exists. If anyone out there knows for sure when the mill was demolished, please let me know in the comments below.
As for this 2 span pony truss bridge, it was built in 1959 and spans Wills Creek. The smaller span is angled about 30 degrees off from the larger span giving it a strange look. I’ve only seen one other bridge built like this and that is the “Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi near St. Louis, Missouri. If anyone out there has seen similar bridges which are angled, let me know in the comments below.
The largest span sits on stone abutments while the smaller span rests on a concrete abutment but shares a stone pier with the other span.
The bridge prior to this was a steel through truss bridge as shown in this picture which also shows the 3rd mill still standing. This bridge was built in 1896 or shortly thereafter and lasting until 1958. As you can see, bids were being taken for building the bridge abutments for the new bridge in January 1896. Maps dating dating back to 1855 show a bridge at this location but even with the help of bridge historian David Simmons, we were unable to uncover evidence of a covered bridge prior to the steel through truss bridge. If anyone out there has evidence of a covered bridge at this spot prior to 1896, please leave a comment below.
I’m sure there are people who fish off of this bridge although downstream from the dam just under the bridge, looks fairly dangerous. If you are passing through this area, I highly recommend you take a side trip to visit the old bridge. Definitely worth your time.
GPS Location: 40º09’34.8″N 81º34’35.4″W
