Downtown in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Broad Street Bridge

The Historic National Road in Ohio

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016

1. Broad Street Bridge Marker

Inscription. The Broad Street bridge is a significant part of the history of Columbus and the National Road. Until 1816, the only ways to cross the Scioto River were to ford the river during low water or to use the ferry. From 1816 to 1834 a series of wooden toll bridges were built to span the river. In 1834, the National Road Bridge was constructed. This covered bridge was free of any tolls and remained in service until replaced by an iron truss bridge in 1883. The flood of 1913 heavily damaged that bridge.

In conjunction with the 1908 Master Plan for redevelopment of the city, a new bridge would be built to withstand future floods. Design and construction of the bridge started during World War I, The Federal government promoted the use of concrete instead of structural steel in local civic projects, since steel was needed for the war effort. Built in a Renaissance Revival style with seven arch spans, the bridge could carry four lanes of automobile traffic and two trolley lines. Despite three floods during construction, the cost of the bridge actually came in under the original estimates.

Completed in 1921, the bridge was named in honor of veterans of World War I. In 1927, a plaque commemorating the National Road was placed on the bridge.

In 1990, the seven span, earth filled, barrel-vaulted bridge was removed, and work began on the present five span plate-arch structure.

Original commemorative plaques and a section of the limestone balustrade railing from the 1921 structure are located in a memorial park at the west end of the bridge.

Erected 2013

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by The Hadler and Peppe Families, Dean C. Ringle, P.E,, P.S., Franklin County Engineer.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list.

Location. 39° 57.682′ N, 83° 0.374′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of West Broad Street Old National Road (U.S. 40) and Washington Blvd, on the right when traveling east on West Broad Street Old National Road. Marker is at the west end of the bridge, on the south side, at the entrance to Genoa Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 W Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016

2. Broad Street Bridge Marker

Full view of marker, to the right is a similar marker for Central High School

(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: Central High School (here, next to this marker); Scioto River Historical Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Celebration of Life (within shouting distance of this marker); World War Memorial Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklinton Historical Society Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Prairie Garden (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Columbus (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Additional keywords. Old National Road

Broad Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016

3. Broad Street Bridge

Photo on marker of memorialized bridge under construction

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016

4. Broad Street Bridge

The old National Road covered bridge

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, July 5, 2016

5. Broad Street Bridge

The present bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,188 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 1, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.