Originally, this covered bridge was located in Fairfield County. It spanned Clear Creek, near Clearport. In 1975, it was donated to Belmont County and relocated to their branch of the Ohio University.

The Shaeffer Family were pioneers of Madison Township (Fairfield County). In 1798, brothers, Isaac and Abraham Shaeffer, moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio, settling in the township. In 1804, Isaac built the first mill in Madison Township. He built a sawmill in 1804 and a gristmill in 1830. His first child was believed to have been the first white child born in the township.