Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

John A. Roebling Bridge

Photographed by Matt Gilbertson, August 28, 2010

1. John A. Roebling Bridge Marker

Inscription.
John A Roebling (1806-1869), pioneer civil engineer, was the designer and builder of the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge which was completed in 1866. It served as the prototype for Roebling’s design of the Brooklyn Bridge, which was complete in 1882 under the direction of his son, Washington A. Roebling, chief engineer. On June 27, 1982, the Commonwealth of Kentucky officially renamed the Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge in honor of the designer and builder.

Erected 1984 by American Society of Civil Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks, and the ASM International Historical Landmarks series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1903.

Location. 39° 5.42′ N, 84° 30.548′ W. Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. It is on Court Avenue (Kentucky Route 17) 0.1 miles north of East 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Covington KY 41011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roebling Suspension Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Fortifications (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Covington Blue Sox (about 500 feet away); Ben Lucien Burman (about 600 feet away); First City Hall (about 600 feet away); Northern Kentucky Heritage League (about 700 feet away); Simon Kenton (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Simon Kenton (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Covington.

National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matt Gilbertson, August 28, 2010

2. National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Marker

ASM International Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matt Gilbertson, August 28, 2010

3. ASM International Marker

The Covington and Cincinnati Suspension Bridge (1987) - view from southwest image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Gus Johnson, June 1987

4. The Covington and Cincinnati Suspension Bridge (1987) - view from southwest

Significance: At the time of its completion this suspension bridge was the longest in the world. It remains one of the nation's foremost suspension bridges.- Historic American Buildings Survey

Roebling Suspension Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 12, 2014

5. Roebling Suspension Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2012, by Matt Gilbertson of Medford, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 1,120 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 21, 2012, by Matt Gilbertson of Medford, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on May 22, 2012. 5. submitted on November 18, 2014, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.