Point Pleasant in Mason County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Silver Bridge Collapse and Creation of National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS)

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

— National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark —

Silver Bridge Collapse and Creation of National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2021

1. Silver Bridge Collapse and Creation of National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Marker

Inscription. On December 15, 1967 at 4:58 pm, the 39-year-old Silver Bridge suddenly collapsed into the Ohio River during heavy rush hour and holiday season traffic. Forty-six lives were tragically lost. The cause of the collapse was a single hairline crack in a steel eyebar in the northern suspension chain. In response to this catastrophe, Congress established national bridge inspection standards. These standards created a rigorous nationwide bridge safety inspection program to detect unsafe structural conditions, prevent future tragedies, and save countless lives.

Erected 2019 by American Society of Civil Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 15, 1967.

Location. 38° 50.681′ N, 82° 8.336′ W. Marker is in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in Mason County. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and 6th Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 522 Mason Pl, Point Pleasant WV 25550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Silver Bridge Collapse (within shouting distance of this marker); Corner of Sixth and Main Street

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Silver Bridge Collapse (within shouting distance of this marker); Point Pleasant (within shouting distance of this marker); West Virginia (Mason County) / Ohio (within shouting distance of this marker); 615 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Gordon C. and Mildred R. Jackson Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); 207 Sixth Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Point Pleasant.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2021

2. Silver Bridge Collapse and Creation of National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2021

3. Silver Bridge Collapse and Creation of National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 25, 2021

4. Silver Bridge Collapse and Creation of National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Marker

Silver Bridge Collapse Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 12, 2022

5. Silver Bridge Collapse Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 7, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5. submitted on November 28, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.