Detroit Avenue Bridge
Also known as: Rocky River Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning the deep shale gorge of the Rocky River between Rocky River and Lakewood, this concrete arch bridge carries Detroit Avenue about 95 feet above the water. Built between 1908 and 1910 to a design by county engineer A. M. Felgate, and constructed by the Schillinger Brothers Company for $224,850, it runs roughly 708 feet and centers on a twin ribbed, open-spandrel arch with a 280-foot clear span, plus five 44-foot approach arches. It was designed to carry heavy interurban rail cars, two lanes of traffic and sidewalks. It was the fourth crossing at the site, following a low-level bridge of 1821, a toll bridge of 1850 and an iron bridge of 1889. For a short time its main span was the longest of any unreinforced concrete masonry arch in the world. The structure has been used continuously, though its deck has deteriorated and needs replacement while the arches and piers remain sound.
Significance in brief: For a brief period after completion, it had the longest main span of any unreinforced concrete masonry arch in the world. It is the fourth bridge at this crossing and reflects the area's transportation history and the need for a high-level span after the turn of the century.
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 73001428, listed February 23, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Detroit Ave. at Rocky River, Rocky River--Lakewood |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | February 23, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001428 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (specific date 1910) |
| Architect / builder | Designed by county engineer A. M. Felgate; built by the Schillinger Brothers Company |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition and in continuous use since construction; the arch ribs and piers are sound but the deck needs full replacement, and its future was to be considered by the county engineer. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 41.48262, -81.83112 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 73001428.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q21036996
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.