S Bridge, National Road, Historic stone arch bridge in Old Washington, United States
The S Bridge is a stone arch bridge crossing Salt Fork near Old Washington, characterized by its distinctive S-shaped alignment created by the curved roads leading to it. The structure is supported by stone buttresses and built with randomly laid ashlar blocks that form its walls.
It was built in 1828 as part of the National Road project that connected major population centers and supported westward travel and trade. This road system changed how people and goods moved across the country during a time of rapid expansion.
The bridge shows how Americans built major roads and bridges during the early 1800s, and it stands as proof of the engineering methods they used. Walking across, you notice the careful stonework that still holds together without modern materials or equipment.
The bridge is easily accessible from the road in the Old Washington area and can be viewed and walked across by visitors at any time. Since the location is rural with limited nearby services, plan your visit in advance and check directions before arriving.
It became a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and is one of only four S-shaped bridges built along the National Road in Ohio. This unusual design was a practical solution for fitting the road around the landscape at the time it was constructed.
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