Mystery

Mystery

Covered Bridges Showcase Heritage In Ohio’s 8th District

Posted on July 30, 2014 by CharlieClaywell

Brubaker Bridge, located just outside of Gratis, Ohio in Preble County.

Some say the Brubaker Bridge, located just outside of Gratis, Ohio is haunted.

The first time I rode across a covered bridge in Preble County as a kid, I was mesmerized by the idea. Of course, little did I realize then just what a trademark they were for the county.

Warnke Bridge, Lewisburg, Ohio.

Six of the county’s eight covered bridges still in existence were built by E.S. Sherman in the late 1800s — who used the somewhat antiquated Childs truss patent for the structures. In fact, only one bridge was ever built out of Preble County with a Childs truss — and that one was also built by E.S. Sherman. Of these Sherman-built bridges five are still in operation. The sixth one has been restored and placed inside the community park in Lewisburg.

Roberts Bridge, Eaton, Ohio.

Roberts Bridge was restored after vandals set it on fire in the late 1980s/early 1990s. The incident led to the restoration of all the county’s covered the bridges with efforts to make them flame resistant.

Built in 1829, Roberts Bridge is Ohio’s oldest covered bridge — and the second oldest double-barrel (two lane) covered bridge in the United States. The bridge is no longer in use and spans Seven Mile Creek in Eaton, just a few blocks off of U.S. 127 on the south end of town.

One of the bridges, the Brubaker Bridge, lands on various haunted lists. The claim is a group of teens in the 1930s crash their vehicle through the side of the bridge (it is built on a curve) and their bodies were not discovered for several days. Now they haunt the structure.

Several events are held throughout the year to celebrate the county’s unique heritage. One of the most popular events is the Bridges, Bikes and Blues event hosted by the Preble County Historical Society. The all-day event attracts bikers from throughout the Tri-State area. The PCHS also published a map brochure of all the county’s bridges which individuals can use for self tours.

In 2012, the county unveiled its eighth covered bridge. The Burr Arch design bridge — a truss style patented in 1804 — is located at Hueston Woods state park. It is the first covered bridge to be built in the county for more than 100 years and is designed with walkways so pedestrians can also enjoy the view.

Restored covered bridge located in Lewisburg’s community park.

Categories: 8th congressional district, American History, Mystery, Ohio Events | Tags: ohio covered bridges

Books I’ve Read: History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time

Posted on December 27, 2013 by CharlieClaywell

I watched some of the stories included in this book on TV. The book contains all the conspiracies one would expect to find, JFK’s murder, John Wilkes Booth (was he really captured) and some obscure ones like where is the White House cornerstone? But the one that pique my interest was the one about the American ‘Stonehenge,’ — the Georgia Guidestones.

The 10 guidelines or principles are inscribed in granite monuments that are nearly 20 feet tall. Besides the somewhat crytic tone of the rules is the fact that the public at large has few to no clues about who financed this massive undertaking. The guides were placed in a northeast rural Georgia — in what is referred to as a safe zone (should the apocolypse occur). For the most part the guides are benign-sounding — although the topmost guide suggests a huge reduction in human population.

The stones were erected in the 1980s. Here are the 10 guides:

Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
Guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity.
Unite humanity with a living new language.
Rule passion — faith — tradition — and all things with tempered reason.
Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
Balance personal rights with social duties.
Prize truth — beauty — love — seeking harmony with the infinite.
Be not a cancer on the earth — Leave room for nature — Leave room for nature.

There are many theories about what the stones represent — everything from Satanic groups wanting a New World Order to a sign of the times — the fear the Cold War would wipe out humanity. Regardless, if nothing else they are definitely an intriguing modern mystery.