Newark in Licking County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Rodrick Bridge

Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

1. The Rodrick Bridge Marker

Inscription. The Rodrick Bridge was designed by Squire Whipple, a civil engineer known as the 'Father of Iron Bridge building in America', in 1841 and built in 1872 by his nephew, James W. Shipman. The bridge is one of only three bridges of its kind in the United States. The bridge weighs approximately 25 tons. The Bridge was set in Coshocton County until 1996, when it was brought to Licking County. It was originally built for horse-drawn wagons, but was so strong that it could handle modern semi-trucks. Today it is located on the Newark campus of COTC and Ohio State Newark.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location. 40° 3.369′ N, 82° 24.05′ W. Marker is in Newark, Ohio, in Licking County. Marker is on South 2nd Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 53 S 2nd St, Newark OH 43055, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Village Of Granville (here, next to this marker); The Ohio State Uiversity at Newark Est. 1957 (here, next to this marker); The Great Circle Earthworks (here, next to this marker); The National Heisey Glass Museum (here, next to this marker); Robbins Hunter Museum (here, next

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to this marker); Sherwood-Davidson House (here, next to this marker); Denison University (here, next to this marker); Buckeye Lake (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newark.

Photographed By Craig Doda, September 2, 2022

2. The Rodrick Bridge Marker

Perspective View Along Truss from the Southwest - Rodrick Bridge image. Click for full size.

Joseph Elliot, Historic American Buildings Survey (courtesy of the Library of Congress), 1992

3. Perspective View Along Truss from the Southwest - Rodrick Bridge

"Significance: The Rodrick Bridge is a bowstring arch bridge constructed of cast-iron segments with a lower chord of wrought-iron chain. Built in 1872 by the Coshocton Iron Works, a company managed by James W. Shipman, nephew of Squire Whipple, it is believed to be the only surviving example, outside the State of New York, of a bridge based on the bowstring design patented by Squire Whipple in 1841." - Historic American Buildings Survey

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 13, 2022. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.