Simmons to Speak at Riverbend

David Simmons, president of the OHBA, will speak about the history of bridges in Hancock County. OHBA is assisting the park district with preservation plans for the Marion TR 241 iron bridge over the Blanchard River. A new "Smolen" covered bridge is to replace the historic iron bridge, which is to be preserved by relocation to the Riverbend Recreational Area.

Read the complete article in the Advertiser Tribune.

OHBA Mentioned in ToledoBlade.com

An article entitiled: Whispers of the past: Ohio's covered bridges are reminders of our history, appeared in a Toledo newspaper. It talks about covered bridges in Ohio and the OHBA. Click here to read article

Zoarville Bridge Dedication

Photo: 9/15/2007 rj

The only remaining Fink Through truss bridge has been completely restored and was officially reopened as part of a walking trail on Saturday. Several OHBA members made the trip to Camp Tuscazoar for the ceremony. Remarks were made by Congressman Ralph Regula and project manager David Tschantz prior to the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the structure.

This bridge is well worth a visit. While you are there, be sure to travel just a few miles north to Zoar to visit the restored Old Route 82 bridge. It is a rare Pratt 3-span continous through truss and is also part of a walking trail. Goto oldohiobridges.com for directions to either of these bridges.

Mill Road Bridge is in Danger of Demolition

Photo: 11/2004 rj

Built by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company in 1872 this rare Iron Bowstring bridge rests abandoned on a closed section of Mill Road over Wakatomika Creek in Knox County. The Mount Vernon Mayor has considered saving the deteriorating bridge by moving it to Foundation Park. However, the Knox County Engineer is proposing its demolition despite it being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Send encouragement to: Mount Vernon Mayor Mavis

Send appeals to save the bridge to: J Henry, Knox County Engineer

Covered Bridge Exhibit in Preble County

A story in a Preble County paper (The Register-Herald) reports the participation of David Simmons and Miriam Wood in the recent covered bridge programs at the Preble County Historical Center. This event was part of OHBA's Fall Bridge Tour.

The article also reports that the CB exhibit, originally scheduled to end Sept 2, has been extended until Sunday Oct 7. Click here for the article.

Help Preserve the Orange Road Bridge

Photo: 2004 rj

The fight to save the Orange Road Bridge in Delaware County continues! Instead of bypassing or removing this historic bridge an alternative has been proposed by the local preservation committee: namely, to rehabilitate the bridge for 1-way traffic and build a replica bridge next to it for opposite-way traffic.

County Engineer Bauserman reportedly has refused a request made last November by the 5 local organizations of Project SOUL (Save Our Unique Landmark) to hold public hearings on the bridge project. At a private meeting with the CE in December it was asked if the bridge could be rehabbed. Bauserman said it could; but it still wouldn't meet today's standards. When asked if there was a way to get a waiver of the standards due to the historic nature of the bridge, he said, "Yes, under special circumstances". He was then asked what was more special than the only place in Ohio with National Register, State Scenic River, and State Scenic Byway designations all in one location?

Delaware County has removed most of its historic bridges (including the Stockwell Road, Hoskins, Cheshire, Culver Creek, and Main Road) and has but one remaining Covered Bridge (that is in very poor condition). The Orange Road Bridge is the most starred of the Delaware bridges. The county appears to lack the innovation to support compromise solutions that have worked in other counties

For more information contact:

Judi Brozek, jbrozek@columbus.rr.com
Chair Project SOUL
944 W. Orange Road
Delaware, OH 43015