Caledonia Bowstring Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Caledonia Bowstring Bridge
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Western end of the bridge
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Caledonia, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | Wrought Iron Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Bowstring arch-truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002131 |
| Added to NRHP | May 23, 1978 |
The Caledonia Bowstring Bridge is a very old and special bridge in Caledonia, Ohio, United States. It was built a long time ago, in the 1870s. Even though it's not used for cars anymore, it's considered a historic site. This means it's an important part of history!
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What is the Caledonia Bowstring Bridge?
The Caledonia Bowstring Bridge is a unique type of bridge. It's called a "bowstring arch bridge" because its main support looks like a bow. Imagine a bow and arrow – the top part of the bridge curves like the bow, and the flat part where you walk is like the string. This design helps the bridge be strong and stable.
Building a Special Bridge
In 1873, people in the area needed a new bridge. They asked a company called the Wrought Iron Bridge Company from Canton, Ohio to build it. This company was known for making strong bridges. They built the Caledonia bridge over the Scioto River.
The bridge was made using a clever design. It had a special criss-cross pattern called "lattice bracing" under the road. This made the bridge very strong without costing too much money. It was built using both iron and steel, which were important building materials back then.
A New Home for the Bridge
Many years later, in 1976, officials in Marion County decided to build a new, modern bridge where the old one stood. Instead of tearing down the historic Caledonia Bowstring Bridge, they decided to move it! This was a big project.
The bridge was carefully moved to Caledonia. There, it was placed over the Olentangy River. The idea was for it to help people get to a community park. It was a great way to save a piece of history.
Why is it Historic?
Just four years after it was moved, in 1980, the Caledonia Bowstring Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history.
The bridge made it onto this list for two main reasons:
- It's a part of Ohio's history.
- It's a great example of how bridges were built a long time ago.
Even though it was moved to a new spot and meant to be used for the park, by 2011, the bridge was not being used much. It became overgrown with plants, waiting for people to rediscover its history.
