The Roberts Covered Bridge is a Burr Truss covered bridge in Preble County, Ohio near the town of Eaton. This "double-barrelled" covered bridge was built in 1829 by (and named for) Orlistus Roberts. Originally crossing Sevenmile Creek about 2.5 miles south of Eaton. After being vandalized and heavily damaged by a fire in 1986, it was restored and moved to a city park in Eaton in 1990, still crossing Sevenmile Creek.

Roberts is claimed to be the oldest covered bridge in Ohio, the second oldest covered bridge in the United States, and the oldest of the six remaining "double-barreled" covered bridges in the United States.

Preble County is very fortunate to have eight covered bridges still standing and the oldest covered bridge in Ohio. Throughout the 19th Century, from 1829 until 1896, 29 covered bridges were built in Preble County, Ohio. Some were built for turnpikes, one for the railroad, one by a private enterprise, and some to replace original bridges destroyed by a devastating storm in May of 1886.

​The Robert’s Bridge is one of the few remaining double-barreled or dual wagon-way bridges still remaining in the United States. Built just over a quarter-century after settlement began in the area, the Roberts Bridge is among the earliest man-made structures surviving in Preble County.

Having obtained a contract from the U.S. government, Orlistus Roberts began building this bridge with the help of his apprentice, James Campbell. Roberts built the bridge of local poplar, beech, and oak resting it on abutments of limestone quarried from nearby Rocky Run. All bolts, nuts, and nails were hand-forged by the builders. Unfortunately, Roberts died before the completion of the bridge that bears his name and it was finished by James Campbell.

For nearly 160 years, the 79-foot Roberts Bridge was in use at its original location. In 1962, the bridge was restored and in 1974, important structural repairs were made. By the 1980s nearly all of the protective structures and some framing were no longer original. However, the actual load-bearing bridge was intact. On August 5, 1986, the bridge was vandalized and heavily damaged by fire. On the day following the fire, a group of concerned citizens joined in their resolve to restore Roberts Bridge. Relocation of the bridge to a more accessible and secure site was considered necessary. The site in Eaton was prepared and plans were made for moving the trusses. The move took place on September 20, 1990.

​Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 1971.

Located at:  N39 44.427    W84 38.323     -     WGCB #35-68-05

Photographed in May of 2022