S Bridge, National Road facts for kids
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S Bridge, National Road
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The S Bridge east of Old Washington in Ohio in 2009
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Old Washington, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1828 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000610 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 29, 1964 |
The S Bridge is a really old and special stone bridge near Old Washington, Ohio. It was built way back in 1828! This bridge crosses the Salt Fork area, which is now part of Salt Fork State Park.
It's one of the best-preserved bridges from the time when the National Road was being built. The National Road was a huge project to create a major route across the country. The S Bridge got its name because of its unique "S" shape, which comes from the curvy roads leading up to it.
Because it's so important to history, the S Bridge was named a National Historic Landmark in 1964. You can't drive on it anymore, but you can still see it from nearby roads like Blend Road and Rhinehart Road.
What Makes the S Bridge Special?
The S Bridge is about four miles east of Old Washington. It's located just north of today's Interstate 70 and County Road 690. These modern roads are close to where the historic National Road used to be.
How the S Bridge Looks
The bridge is about 185 feet (56 meters) long, including the parts that lead up to it. Its main part is a stone arch that curves over the streambed. The top of the arch is usually about 18 inches (46 cm) above the water.
The bridge is made from stones that were carefully placed together. It has low walls on the sides, making the road part about 26 feet (7.9 meters) wide. There are also big stone supports at each end of the arch. The most interesting part is its "S" shape, which comes from the sharp curves of the roads leading onto the bridge.
Building the National Road
The National Road was a very important project in early American history. The United States Congress decided to build it when the state of Ohio was created. The goal was to make a reliable way to travel across the Appalachian Mountains.
The first part of the road reached Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1818. Then, in 1825, Congress approved extending the road all the way to Columbus, Ohio. The S Bridge was built as part of this big expansion. This road was super important for people moving west and settling new areas like Ohio.
Today, the S Bridge is one of only four "S" shaped bridges still standing in Ohio that were built for the National Road. It's a cool reminder of how people traveled long ago!
