Kanauga in Gallia County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Silver Bridge Disaster
Inscription.
The Silver Bridge Disaster. . On December 15, 1967, about one mile downstream from this historic marker, a national tragedy occured. Forty-six interstate travelers lost their lives when the Silver Bridge collapsed into the Ohio River during five o'clock rush hour traffic. The 2,235 foot two-way vehicular bridge connected Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Kanauga, Ohio via U.S. Route 35. The West Virginia Ohio River Bridge Company built the structure in 1928 for $1.2 million. The bridge, unique in its engineering conception, was the first of its design in America and the second in the world. Instead of woven-wire cable, the bridge was suspended on heat-treated eye-bar chains. It was named the "Silver Bridge" because it was the first in the world to be painted with aluminum paint. In 1969, two years later, its replacement, the Silver Memorial Bridge, was dedicated.
On December 15, 1967, about one mile downstream from this historic marker, a national tragedy occured. Forty-six interstate travelers lost their lives when the Silver Bridge collapsed into the Ohio River during five o'clock rush hour traffic. The 2,235 foot two-way vehicular bridge connected Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Kanauga, Ohio via U.S. Route 35. The West Virginia Ohio River Bridge Company built the structure in 1928 for $1.2 million. The bridge, unique in its engineering conception, was the first of its design in America and the second in the world. Instead of woven-wire cable, the bridge was suspended on heat-treated eye-bar chains. It was named the "Silver Bridge" because it was the first in the world to be painted with aluminum paint. In 1969, two years later, its replacement, the Silver Memorial Bridge, was dedicated.
Erected 1992 by Gallia County Historical Society O. O. McIntyre Park District and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 8-27.)
Location. 38° 51.851′ N, 82° 8.54′ W. Marker is in Kanauga, Ohio, in Gallia
County. Marker can be reached from Ohio Route 7, 0.1 miles north of Georges Creek Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1904 Route 7, Gallipolis OH 45631, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Additional keywords. Mothman
Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2011, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Last updated on April 15, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
