Feb 10 2009
S-Bridges Along the National Road in Ohio
Several years ago, I read about an S-shaped bridge and I was intrigued. This was also the first I’d heard about the National Road and its importance in American transporation.
When I learned that we were going to be in the vicinity of an S-bridge in Ohio, we put it on our to-do list. The first day, we struck out. We got to New Concord, followed the sign for the S-bridge . . . and couldn’t find it anywhere. Despite our kindergartner telling us that he’d seen it, and that there was a historical marker by it, we just weren’t sure what he was talking about, so we continued on.
Later that night, I did some more research and figured out that he had actually seen the bridge we were looking for. (That guy has sharp eyes!) Fortunately, we were headed through that area the next day. Also, in my research, I learned that there were two other S-bridges in the vicinity and along our route, parallel to I-70.
This time, we had better luck. We found the bridge at New Concord first. From this angle, it just looks like a crooked bridge.
From the other side, you can see the “S” shape better.
With the road right next to it, I’m not sure how we missed it.
This sign explains the S Bridges.
And from here you can see how the bridge crosses the creek.
When we got to the Peters Creek Bridge at Cassell, Ohio, the kids were excited that we let them out of the car to run across it. (And run they did–it was cold out!)
This one was renovated in 2006.
It is wider than the New Concord bridge.
Another explanation of the bridges:
The Salt Fork Bridge was the most fun, though, because…
we could drive across it!
This is so interesting! I live in SW Ohio, so finding these wouldn’t be too hard.
Thanks for sharing!
Marianne @ TheNewFrugalMom’s last blog post..Saturday Savings Roundup
We’re headed to Boston from Iowa this weekend. May have to track these down as we cross Ohio! Thanks!
I’d never heard of these bridges. Are they mostly in southern Ohio?
nice bridges but does anybody know where the london bridge in ohio is?
For more infomation on the National Road in Ohio, visit the website of The Ohio National Road Association at this link: http://www.ohionationalroad.org. You’ll also be able to order a complimentary issue of “A Traveler’s Guide to the Historic National Road in Ohio” there, co-authored by Glenn Harper and me, Doug Smith. Stop by our company’s website as well for links to other historic sites – http://www.smithsauctions.com, and go to the “Favorite Places” page. It’s there to share. Fun stuff! We Ohio National Road aficionados appreciate your visit and your helping spread the word about Ohio’s “longest” museum, the Historic National Road!
S Bridges are unique to the National Road. In Ohio, most have been buried under I-70 or bypassed during the realignment of Route 40, but a few remain: Fox Run S-bridge west of New Concord, Peter’s Creek S-bridge west of Cambridge, Salt Fork S-bridge west of Middlebourne on Co. Rd. 6794, and Blaine Bridge at the western edge of Blaine in Belmont Co. If you think S-bridges are cool, you should check out the Y-Bridge in Zanesville!
Great website! If your site visitors would be interested in a complete bus tour with many historic site visits, please feel free to contact me:
Glen F. Massie
Byway Coordinator
Ohio National Road Association
c/o Clark County-Springfield TCC
3130 East National Road-Suite 2A
Springfield, OH 45505
or
gmassie@clarkcountyohio.gov
Cyndie, we loved the Y-bridge in Zanesville!