Liberty Township near Shawnee Hills in Delaware County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Jerry O’Shaughnessy Memorial

1856 – 1921

— O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge —

Jerry O’Shaughnessy Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

1. Jerry O’Shaughnessy Memorial

Inscription. Jeremiah Patrick O’Shaughnessy (1853-1921) began working for the City of Columbus in 1870 as a ditchdigger, digging the foundation for what was to be the new Columbus waterworks. He worked his way up to become superintendent of waterworks for the city in 1896. In all, O’Shaughnessy served Columbus through work on its water system for more than 50 years until he died in 1921.

During his long tenure as superintendent, Columbus realized a wealth of modern waterworks improvements, including a storage dam (now called the Griggs) and a water purification plant that helped to reduce dramatically the number of deaths from typhoid fever. A new dam was in the planning stages when he died.

At the time of his death, Mayor James Thomas said, “Columbus owes much to the foresight and ability of Jerry O’Shaughnessy. He is a large measure was responsible for the installation of the purification works and the building of the (Griggs) dam; he was the first to urge and point out the necessity for the construction of an additional dam, on which engineers are now at work.” Less than two weeks later, the Columbus City Council unanimously

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named this additional storage dam the O’Shaughnessy Dam, in appreciation of “one of the most faithful servants the city ever had.”

Construction of the new O’Shaughnessy Dam was an event of great importance to Columbus. Engineers pronounced it at the time to be the best inland city reservoir and dam in the United States. Its dedication on May 15, 1926 was heralded by city newspapers, covered by live radio broadcast and documented by newsreel. When it was completed, the city had a water supply to serve a population of one–half million — fully twice the city’s size at the time.

This memorial was made possible through the efforts of the City of Columbus and the following descendants of Jerry O’Shaughnessy:

In memory of Jerry P. O’Shaughnessy • Margaret O’Shaughnessy Morris • Joseph J. O’Shaughnessy • Robert E. O’Shaughnessy • Timothy O’Shaughnessy • Ann M. Schneider • Mary Schneider Manney • Thomas F. O’Shaughnessy • Richard W. O’Shaughnessy • Jacqueline K. O’Shaughnessy

Grandchildren Philip A. Schneider • Jeremiah T. Schneider • W. Joseph Schneider • J. D. Manney • Jean Schneider Rogers • Louis F. Schneider • Betty O’Shaughnessy

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

2. Jerry O’Shaughnessy Memorial

Teegardin • Rev. J. Daniel Schneider • Rev. William T. O’Shaughnessy • Ellen O’Shaughnessy Toole • Jane O’Shaughnessy Dinsmore • Muriel O’Shaughnessy Cooper

Great Grandchildren Thomas B. Morris, Jr. • Ellen M. Roebuck • Ellen O’Shaughnessy Padberg • Robert E. O’Shaughnessy, Jr. • Terence J. O’Shaughnessy • Nancy O’Shaughnessy Prior • Christopher P. O’Toole • Jerry O’Shaughnessy Morris • Jerry W. O’Shaughnessy • Joseph J. Morris • Richard W. O’Shaughnessy • Jerry J. O’Shaughnessy • Maryellen O’Shaughnessy • Regina A. Pinglora • Sally O’Shaughnessy Carey

Erected 1991 by the City of Columbus and descendants of Jerry O’Shaughnessy.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Landmarks • Notable Places • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1926.

Location. 40° 9.265′ N, 83° 7.424′ W. Marker is near Shawnee Hills, Ohio, in Delaware County. It is in Liberty Township. It is on Glick Road (Ohio Route 750) just west of Riverside Drive ( Route 257), on the right when traveling west. It is inside the pavilion

In Memory of Jerry O’Shaughnessy, 1853 – 1921 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

3. In Memory of Jerry O’Shaughnessy, 1853 – 1921

on the east end of the bridge, in the pavilion’s southeast corner. It cannot be seen from the road, but the pavilion is always open. There is parking in Glick Park on the other side of the dam. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Powell OH 43065, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the Scioto Valley

and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

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: Unga (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Habitat is Home (about 500 feet away); We Care! (about 500 feet away); Colo (about 600 feet away); Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (about 600 feet away); Major Conservation Threats (about 700 feet away); White-Handed Gibbon (about 700 feet away); a different marker

Plaque with an Image of a <i>The Columbus Dispatch</i> Editorial Cartoon dated May 9, 1926 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

4. Plaque with an Image of a The Columbus Dispatch Editorial Cartoon dated May 9, 1926

“Next Saturday afternoon, at 2:30 P.M., the O’Shaughnessy Dam will be dedicated, and after that all all of our drinking water will be stamped with ‘Jerry’s’ name — with the foam in the water representing ‘Jerry’s’ white hair, the deep green in the pools, his Irish wit, and the underlying lime stone rock his rugged character. O’Shaughnessy stamp machine.
The Jerry Highball!
None genuine without this signature
H²O’Shaughnessy.

A fitting tribute for a life of service.”

also named White-Handed Gibbon (about 700 feet away).

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. Excerpt: Statement of Significance

The O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge ... was designed by Frank L. Packard, a leading central Ohio architect as the centerpiece of a five year program of water works Improvements completed In the 1920’s.

Built between 1922 and 1925, the O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge retains Integrity of setting, design, materials, workmanship, and historical association to the present day. Architectural features of the structure remain Intact Including spillway channels, twelve reinforced concrete arches, two gate houses topped by red tile roofing material, and a pavilion.

The bridge and dam were designed In the Neo-Classical style, but also evidence Second Renaissance Revival Influence. The Neo-Classical style was first popularized by the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. During the early 20th Century numerous monumental civic structures were designed in this style. Common stylistic elements evidenced by the bridge and dam Include the symmetrical arrangement of the gate
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

5. O’Shaughnessy Family Plaque
houses and observation pavilion, the use of dressed limestone, and the unadorned wall surfaces. The Second Renaissance Revival Influence Is seen in the round arch openings and the tile roof.

The O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge Is the only documented bridge designed by Frank L. Packard, a Columbus architect known more for his courthouses, city halls, jails, public schools, and colleges In Ohio and West Virginia. The combined bridge and dam is the only historic structure of its kind on the Scioto River in the Columbus metropolitan area. Other Neo-Classical bridges on the Scioto River are located In downtown Columbus at Town, Main, and Broad Streets and were built between 1915 and 1917. A later masonry bridge south of O’Shaughnessy Dam at SR 161 was built in 1935 and substantially altered in 1985. The Broad Street Bridge Is to be replaced in 1990.

The water supply of the City of Columbus Is taken from the Scioto River. In 1908 the city completed a five-year program of important water works Improvements which Included the construction of a water purification and softening works and pumping station adjacent to the river, about
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

6. Jerry O’Shaughnessy Memorial
two miles from the city center. In the fall of 1925 the city completed a second five year program including enlargement of the water purification and softening works and the construction of a second masonry dam and storage reservoir on the Scioto River.

When the second five year program was begun in 1920 Jerry O’Shaughnessy was the superintendent of the Columbus Water Works. He had been in the employ of the department for nearly fifty years and was a principal planner behind the city water improvement programs. O’Shaughnessy did not live to see the completion of these projects but city officials, wishing to recognize O’Shaughnessy’s contributions, named the new bridge and dam after him.

A bronze tablet was placed on the new structure with the following Inscription: “By Resolution of the Council of the City of Columbus, Adopted, February 7, 1921, This Dam Was Named and Designated the ‘O’Shaughnessy Dam’ in Honor of the Late Jerry O’Shaughnessy, who so Faithfully and Well Served The City as Superintendent of Its Water Works for Many Years.”

The O’Shaughnessy Dam was a popular central Ohio attraction by its completion
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

7. Plaques on Opposite Corner of Pavilion
Top to bottom: Builder's plate for the dam, a photograph of the dam, and National Register of Historic Places plaque.
on August 1, 1925. At least two verses were written in local newspapers celebrating its beauty. Postcards and souvenirs with the image of the Dam were available in the area. The bridge over the Dam’s spillway, which was added to the structure to accommodate the loss of the nearby Powell Road Bridge, was built as a twelve span reinforced concrete closed spandrel arched bridge, a type selected not only because the construction benefitted the local economy, but also because they could take advantage of the picturesque setting. The Dispatch newspaper reported that officials of the Thompson-Starrett Company told the mayor that Columbus had one of the best and cheapest pieces of construction In the country.

During the week before Its dedication on May 15, 1926, news of the event monopolized front pages of all three major dally newspapers. About 2,000 people attended the ceremony which was carried over the radio and documented by newsreel. Speakers at the ceremony Included Mayor Thomas, former Mayor George Karb, and John J. Lentz, president of the American Insurance Union. The Ohio State Journal editorialized, “The city does
Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

8. Original Builder’s Plate for the Dam and Bridge
“O’Shaughnessy Dam, erected by the City of Columbus, O. 1922-1924. James J. Thomas, Mayor • W. H. Duffy, Director of Public Service • John H. Gregory, Consulting Engineer • C. B. Hoover, Engineer in Charge • A. R. Holbrook, Office Engineer • C. B. Cornell, Field Engineer • V. C. Norton, Field Engineer • Frank L. Packard, Consulting Engineer.

Constructed by Thompson-Starrett Company, New York City.”
two things in dedicating the O’Shaughnessy Dam. It formally celebrates the completion of another project that will yield rich fruit to the Columbus of the future, and it again honors the memory of the man who for so many years served the city so faithfully and so well . . . Columbus takes pride In Its water supply and the dedication of the new dam is a red letter day in its history.”

The bridge over the dam is currently the subject of plans for replacement to accommodate Increased traffic between Columbus and southern Delaware County. The area around the O’Shaughnessy Dam has been the scene of rapid residential development. The Columbus Zoo, located adjacent to the Dam, is also looking at expansion plans. It Is hoped by members of the historic preservation community that the architectural character of the dam and bridge will not be compromised to facilitate further development.

(Submitted on September 12, 2026.)

National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, September 7, 2026

9. National Register of Historic Places Plaque

“Original structure of the O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, 1990.”

O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 30, 2024

10. O’Shaughnessy Dam and Bridge

The red-tile roof of the pavilion in which this memorial is housed can be seen in the distance at the far end of the bridge.

O’Shaughnessy Dam on Scioto River, Columbus Ohio image. Click for full size.

Postcard A14 5A-H1952 distributed by W. E. Ayres, Columbus Ohio. J.J.Prats postcard collection, 1935

11. O’Shaughnessy Dam on Scioto River, Columbus Ohio

UN|CO Genuine Curteich-Chicago ‘‘C.T. Art-Colortone’’ Post Card manufactured by Curt Teich Co. The distributor who commissioned the print was W. E. Ayres, 1949 Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 12, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 11. submitted on September 17, 2026, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.