Blaine Hill "S" Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Blaine, United States
Blaine Hill S Bridge is a stone arch bridge that spans 385 feet (117 meters) across Wheeling Creek with three sandstone arches. The structure features a 6.3 percent grade change from east to west, creating a distinctive curved design that served traveling routes.
The bridge was built in 1826 by James Lloyd and Robert Wilson from Hagerstown, Maryland, making it the oldest standing bridge in Ohio. This construction marked a time when stone arches dominated transportation infrastructure development across the region.
The bridge received the designation of Ohio's Official Bicentennial Bridge in 2003, recognizing two centuries of transportation history in the region. This honor reflects how important the structure remains to local heritage and memory.
The bridge is located on Township Road 649 and is accessible to visitors interested in seeing a preserved example of early bridge design. The structure was substantially reconstructed in 2000 to address structural damage, ensuring safe passage for those wishing to view and walk across this historic landmark.
This bridge represents the last remaining S-shaped design on the National Road, the first federally funded highway in the United States. The curved form was a practical solution to the challenging terrain and makes this one of the rarest surviving examples of this construction approach.
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