Downtown in Dayton in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bridges
| | Patterson Boulevard Canal Parkway | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025
1. Bridges Marker
Many bridges were constructed along the path of the Miami Erie Canal to carry roads over the waterway. The bridges were designed innovatively to ensure that they did not obstruct canal boats from passing. Swing bridges would swing over to the bank as boats touched them, returning to position after the boat had passed. Lift bridges were operated by pulleys, and would lift up as the boat passed. Arched bridges were elevated to allow boats to pass under.
The photograph depicts the Miami Erie Canal at the Third Street bridge in Dayton carrying the road above it. The bridge is arched to allow for the low profile canal boats to pass under. As is evident in the photograph, taken during the 1920s, the canal was in poor condition after the Great Flood of 1913, with garbage strewn on its banks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 39° 45.426′ N, 84° 11.271′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South Patterson Boulevard and East 5th
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Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Miami Valley. 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dayton and the Canal: Timeline (here, next to this marker); Aqueducts (here, next to this marker); Towpaths (here, next to this marker); Anatomy of a Canal Lock (here, next to this marker); The Canal, by the Numbers (here, next to this marker); Constructing the Canal (here, next to this marker); The Canal and the Railroad (here, next to this marker); The Oregon District (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayton.
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 5, 2025
2. Bridges Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
