Fifth by Northwest in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The King Avenue Bridge
A Brief History
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 11, 2026
1. The King Avenue Bridge Marker
Around 1863 a steel truss was constructed across the Olentangy River at King Avenue. It was the first roadway to be extended across the Olentangy River.
Although the great flood of 1913 destroyed or damaged numerous bridges, businesses and houses along the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers, the old steel truss at King Avenue crossing had already been demolished and the false work for the arches before the arch concrete was poured. Subsequently, a fourth arch span was added to the east end of the bridge. The reinforced concrete arch bridge at King Avenue was one of the first bridges of its kind in the State of Ohio.
The design for the 1912 bridge was influenced by three primary criteria. The new bridge had to support 50 ton Trolley cars; resist the worst possible flooding and comply with the 1908 master plan proposal, which grew out of the City Civic Center.
The 1912 King Avenue Bridge was designed by Wilber Watson and was a four span, earth filled, reinforced concrete, barrel vaulted, elliptical arch. The Contractor was E. Elford and Company.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 39° 59.444′ N, 83° 1.49′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto 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: A different marker also named The King Avenue Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Modern Streamflow Measurement in Ohio (about 400 feet away); NECKO Neighborhood / E. J. McMillen Homestead Addition (approx. 0.4 miles away); Iskcon Krishna House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Underground Railroad on University Land (approx. half a mile away); The Third Avenue Bridge (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land (approx. half a mile away); Neil Avenue Gate (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 11, 2026
2. The King Avenue Bridge Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 11, 2026
3. The King Avenue Bridge Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 11, 2026
4. The King Avenue Bridge Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, April 11, 2026
5. The King Avenue Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 29, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
