Spellacy Covered Bridge dedication brings to fruition a decade's long dream
With the Mohican River Valley hilltops draped in light fog, more than 100 people gathered Friday for the dedication of the Spellacy Covered Bridge. Gretchen Conrad snipped a broad white ribbon spanning the roadway, officially opening the bridge. She lamented that her father, the late Bill Conrad, couldn’t be there to see one of his dreams fulfilled.
Bill Conrad was instrumental in securing scenic byway and scenic river designation for Wally Road and the Mohican River respectively. He died in January at the age of 91. He threw his support behind replacing a failing road bridge between Loudonville and Greer with a wooden covered bridge.
Among those who also dreamed of building a structure that would add to the Mohican River’s aesthetic appeal was Holmes County Engineer Chris Young. His support for the project goes back more than a decade. Young served as master of ceremonies for the dedication.
Young thanked adjoining property owners for enduring a summer of construction and the closure of Wally Road at the bridge site. He also thanked the owners and operators of campgrounds, canoe liveries, and other tourism businesses. They were forced to change canoe routes and guide campers through detours for the duration. The bridge was completed on schedule and Wally Road reopened to vehicle traffic Sept. 1.
History of the bridge
Gretchen Conrad gave a brief history of the bridge, which originally served as a trestle for the storied Wally Railroad. Formally known as the Walhonding Valley Railroad, it linked Coshocton to Loudonville from 1892-1942. Spellacy was a stop along the way.
“I always thought it was a romantic story of a family that carved their way through the wilderness, created a homestead and became a mainstay for the area,” she said. “But, in fact, it was named after Matthew Spellacy, an Irish immigrant who got the contract to do this portion of the railroad.”
A philanthropic soul, Spellacy had hoped to establish a coal mining town in southern Ohio, which he would name after himself to preserve his legacy.
“It never came to fruition,” she said. “I think in his wildest dreams he would never imagine that a bridge of this magnitude would one day be built and bear his name.”
Other speakers included Joe Miller, chairman of the Holmes County commissioners.
“I can’t say enough about Chris Young and what he has done for Holmes County.” Miller said. “He has made a difference. People can make a difference or they can settle for mediocracy. Chris is always in improvement phase.”
Other speakers included Todd Lezon, regional manager for the Kokosing Construction Company.
Project was a 'joy to build'
“A lot of terms have been used here this morning describing the bridge,” Lezon said. “The bottom line is, it’s just really cool. It was a pure joy to build. The whole project has been a real joy.”
Lezon also commented on the value of the project to tourism and the people.
“There has been one wedding here already,” he said. “It’s that type of structure. It’s that type of project. It’s something that everybody can embrace.”
Holmes County Commissioner Dave Hall, who has long been an advocate of the project, attended the dedication but did not formally speak. In an online interview prior to the ceremony he praised those who saw the project through and enhanced the scenic river and byway.
“I commend all those visionaries who made these designated areas as scenic treasures,” Hall said. “This allowed the county to develop a possible plan for not a normal 25-year life of a steel and concrete bridge structure, but to build a beautiful scenic covered bridge that will service this scenic area for at least 125 years. Chris Young, our Holmes County engineer, and other local groups have teamed up to build a stunning bridge that is functional for generations to come.”
An asset to tourism
Miranda Burrell, Mohican Visitors Bureau tourism administrator, also attended the dedication. She believes the Spellacy Covered Bridge will be an asset to tourism.
“Not only will it be a huge addition for our current tourists, but we will have visitors who come just to see the bridge,” Burrell said.
She was impressed with the finished structure.
“It's absolutely beautiful,” Burrell said. “They really have thought out this bridge very well for the traffic we have in this area. They have taken into account all the big rigs (RVs) that come down that road and have also taken into consideration the foot traffic of tourists and the future of the Mohican Greenway Plan.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Young thanked God and all who were part of the project.
“Thank the public and all the teams that worked on this project,” he said. “We’d like to dedicate this bridge to the people of Holmes County, the residents, the businesses, and the millions of visitors who come see it.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Spellacy Covered Bridge opening a celebration for county, family
