Heritage Park Covered Bridge Repairs Complete

“I’d like to express thanks to the historical society for maintaining the Heritage Park buildings and the bridge,” Fraley said. “They add to what tourists who come to Noble County can see here, and we are grateful for all the work the historical society has done.”
Minosky thanked a number of businesses and individuals who helped raise the necessary funds to restore the bridge. “It isn’t easy to find someone with covered bridge experience,” Minosky said, thanking Steve Heskett and his company, Hocking Hills Construction, for their work on the project. “The bridge has stood here for 51 years, since it was moved here. Heskett and his crew have made it possible to preserve a bridge from the past, and to build a bridge to the future, as the bridge is a staging area for life events such as marriages and photographs. So we’re saving old memories and we’ll be making new ones.”
First over the bridge, which will not be open to vehicular traffic, was Rodney Bettinger on her 1948 Formall Cub tractor, purchased new in Caldwell more than half a century ago. Pictured here at the moment of the ribbon cutting are: Isaiah Rutter of Hocking Hills Construction, Noble County Engineer Todd Coss, whose advice and insight were instrumental in moving forward with the project, Allen Fraley, Rodney Bettinger on the tractor, Jeff Minosky wielding the scissors, Steve Heskett, seated, and three young people dressed in period costume for the Old Iron Power Show and Appalachian Hills Folk Festival, Ethyn Cole, Ella Butcher and Rebecca Overly.
