| Warnke Covered Bridge | |
| Coordinates: | 39.8739°N -84.5147°W |
| Built: | 1895 |
| Architecture: | One-span Childs truss |
| Added: | October 8, 1976 |
| Area: | less than one acre |
| Refnum: | 76001518 |
The Warnke Covered Bridge, also known as Warnke Bridge, is a historic covered bridge crossing Swamp Creek in Harrison Township, Preble County, Ohio, northeast of Lewisburg. Built from 1895 to 1896 by Everett S. Sherman, it has a span of 51 feet.[1] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
In 1895, a flood damaged the steel truss bridge that had been built at the same location. Sherman built a new "Childs Truss covered Bridge." He purchased the stone for the abutments from the Lewisburg quarry.[2] The bridge was named for a family who lived nearby.[1]
The Warnke Bridge was the last bridge built by Sherman.[3] After the bridge was completed, Sherman moved to Richmond, Indiana, and died shortly thereafter.[2]
The original cost of the bridge was $459. Rehabilitation work undertaken in 2008 cost $240,924.25.[2] At one time, Preble County had 50 covered bridges. Seven of them, including the Warnke Covered Bridge, remain.[4]