B & O Railroad Viaduct
Also known as: Bellaire Viaduct
Why it's listed
Forty-three semi-circular stone arches carry a single railroad track through downtown Bellaire, Ohio, crossing Guernsey, Belmont, Union and Crescent Streets. Completed in June 1871, the viaduct runs about three-quarters of a mile in a curve and forms the approach to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's steel truss bridge over the Ohio River toward Benwood, West Virginia. Each arch spans about 33 feet between piers, and the structure rises roughly 35 feet. It was built of native cut stone, using tens of thousands of cubic yards of masonry. The line opened a key rail connection toward Chicago and the West. Engineers Wendell Bollman and Jacob Hayes Linville, both well-known bridge builders, were in charge of the work. The stone has darkened with age, and some arches have been coated with sprayed mortar, yet the structure has changed little and still carries daily traffic. It was listed for its beauty of design and for its builders' reputations.
Significance in brief: The viaduct was a vital link in B & O rail traffic to the West and Chicago. It is valued for its graceful design and its scale of masonry construction. It was also designed by two noted bridge engineers, Wendell Bollman and Jacob Hayes Linville.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76001370, listed June 22, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 31st St., Bellaire |
|---|---|
| County | Belmont County |
| Listed | June 22, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001370 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Wendell Bollman & Jacob Hayes Linville |
| Architectural style | Roman arch stone viaduct |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as still in good condition, little changed since 1871, and still carrying daily rail traffic; some arches have been encased with sprayed mortar. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.01324, -80.74414 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76001370.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4836934
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.