Zanesville in Muskingum County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Sixth Street Bridge

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 10, 2006

1. Sixth Street Bridge Marker

To the left of the marker is the 1914 bridge's bridgeplate.

Inscription. The original Sixth Street Bridge, constructed at a cost of $72,960, opened on December 7, 1885. The structure consisted of four wrought-iron trusses which spanned the Muskingum River and one swing truss which spanned the Muskingum Improvement Canal. After only twenty-eight years of service, it was washed away on March 26 during the peak of the disastrous 1913 flood. The stone piers and abutments were salvaged and modified to carry six spans (totalling 752 feet in length) that crossed over both the river and canal. The bridge consisted of four 150 feet riveted steel Warren through trusses, a 77 foot steel Bascule lift, and one 75 foot steel girder span. The second bridge, designed by County Engineer Ralph H. Strait, when built at a total cost of $190,000, and opened to traffic on September 16, 1915. This multiple span structure, replaced in the year 2000, was a good example of early 20th century engineering and construction.

(1914 Bridgeplate) James Juchanan, John C. Dulan, Alfred Kelly, Commissioners of Muskingum County. Designed by Ralph H. Strait, County Engineer. J.A. Swingle Contracting Company, contractor for substructure. Childers Construction Company, contractor for superstructure.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1809.

Location. 39°

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56.117′ N, 82° 0.467′ W. Marker is in Zanesville, Ohio, in Muskingum County. It is on Muskingum Avenue west of Putnam Avenue (Ohio Route 93). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Zanesville OH 43701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern 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 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Zanesville Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The Muskingum River Locks (approx. ¼ mile away); The Stone Academy (approx. ¼ mile away); 1865 (approx. ¼ mile away); 1863 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Zanesville.

The Marker and the Third Sixth Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 10, 2006

2. The Marker and the Third Sixth Street Bridge

Another View of the New Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 10, 2006

3. Another View of the New Bridge

Downtown Zanesville is on the left across the Muskingum River.

Sixth Street Bridgetender's Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2009

4. Sixth Street Bridgetender's Building

Near the Stone Academy marker. Used to house controls to open the bridge to allow passage of Tall Stack ships.

Sixth Street Bridge Construction Plate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2009

5. Sixth Street Bridge Construction Plate

Located on the Bridgetender's Building near the Stone Academy marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,100 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 19, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on October 14, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Pictures of the old bridges. • Can you help?