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Builders Advocate Chapter I:
First Crossings
Early settler and surveyor Lucas
Sullivant built the first bridge in Franklin County over the Scioto River in
1816, just south of present day Broad Street. As the founder of the community of
Franklinton, on the west bank, he strove to meet the growing transportation
needs of the area’s 700 residents that had relied solely on ferry service to
cross the river. The wooden, open-deck, toll bridge was widely used except on
Sundays when travel was limited to those attending church and family gatherings.
Upon Sullivant's death in 1823,
son Joseph inherited the aging bridge and oversaw its reconstruction and
eventual sale for $10,000 to make way for the federally built National Road
(Main Street, Drexel Avenue and Broad Street) through Franklin County.
The new National Road crossing,
completed in 1834, was a Town's
lattice truss covered bridge. The 340-foot
long wooden structure was supported by a single river pier and abutments
at each end, all built with locally quarried stone. Oak pegs were used in the
superstructure instead of nails.
The popular toll-free bridge
withstood the wear and tear of cattle drives, heavy wagons, and flooding until
it was replaced in 1882.
Next
Chapter: 1913
Flood
Bridge
Builders Advocate Index
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