History lovers & artists seek to preserve the 117-year-old Ohio Electric Interurban Bridge at ...

Carroll McCune explores the fascinating history of Ohio's abandoned Interurban Bridge at Roche de Boeuf, revealing how a 1907 engineering marvel became both a symbol of progress and cultural destruction. Built as the world's longest reinforced concrete bridge of its time, the structure sparked controversy when construction destroyed a sacred Native American site despite promises to preserve it. The bridge served trolley passengers until 1939, briefly carried automobile traffic in the 1940s, and now stands as a crumbling monument that inspires artists and photographers.

• The 1,220-foot bridge required 16,000 cubic yards of cement and destroyed the historic "Buffalo Rock," a Native American meeting place used since ancient times
• The luxurious trolley service featured the "Red Devil" car that once raced an airplane at 97 mph and won
• Today the deteriorating bridge attracts artists and faces potential demolition, though recent community efforts have temporarily halted removal plans
• The site represents a complex intersection of engineering achievement, cultural loss, and natural beauty that continues to captivate visitors over a century later