New Bremen in Auglaize County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bowstring Girder

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2023

1. Bowstring Girder Bridge Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1864, this is the oldest cast iron "bowstring girder" bridge in Ohio. Originally part of a three-span structure over the Auglaize River in Wapakoneta, the bridge was moved to Moulton Angle Road north of New Knoxville in 1904. In 1984, through the efforts of local citizens and business, the bridge was brought to New Bremen where it was restored and placed over the Miami and Erie Canal. It was built by David H. Morrison, founder of the Columbia Bridge Works in Dayton.

Erected by The New Bremen Bridge Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the The Miami & Erie Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 40° 26.13′ N, 84° 22.842′ W. Marker is in New Bremen, Ohio, in Auglaize County. It can be reached from East Front Street 0 miles west of South Washington Street (Ohio Route 66). This historical marker and the bridge that this marker features are both part of a park that is located in the center of New Bremen. This particular park features a restored canal lock and this bridge is just south of that restored canal lock, spanning the Miami and Erie Canal. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Bremen OH 45869, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Loramie Summit (here, next to this marker); Partners (within shouting distance of this marker); 40 South Washington Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 34 South Washington Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Miami and Erie Canal, New Bremen (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Miami and Erie Canal (about 300 feet away); New Bremen Volunteer Fire Department (about 400 feet away); Komminsk Family (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bremen.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009

2. Bowstring Girder Bridge Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2023

3. Bowstring Girder Bridge Marker

Bowstring Girder Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2023

4. Bowstring Girder Bridge

Significance: The Blackhoof Street Bridge is a rare example of a bowstring bridge whose major components are of cast iron. The bridge is also an early example of the work of David H. Morrison, founder of the Columbia Bridge Works of Dayton, Ohio, and one of the most important bridge engineers and manufacturers of the 19th century Ohio. - Historic American Buildings Survey

Blackhoof Street Bridge, Spanning Miami-Erie Canal, New Bremen, Auglaize County, OH image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey (courtesy Library of Congress), circa 1992

5. Blackhoof Street Bridge, Spanning Miami-Erie Canal, New Bremen, Auglaize County, OH

Bowstring Girder Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009

6. Bowstring Girder Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,019 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on October 3, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 20, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5. submitted on November 23, 2023. 6. submitted on June 20, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.