John Bright No. 1 Iron Bridge
Why it's listed
Carrying Havensport Road over Poplar Creek northeast of Carroll, this single-span steel eye-bar suspension bridge measures 90 feet overall, with an 88-foot clear span. It was built by the Hocking Valley Bridge Works of Lancaster, probably in the 1880s, using Carnegie steel. Box-beam verticals hang from eye-bar rods, crossed tension rods with turnbuckles brace the structure, and cut-stone abutments support it. Ornamental urns top the end posts, and lacy ironwork trims the portals. The bridge sits near the John Bright #02 Covered Bridge, built in 1881 by August Borneman, proprietor of the bridge works, and the similar construction suggests he was still there when the steel bridge went up. Borneman held patents for farm machinery and bridge components. The nomination considers the bridge possibly an experimental design, since no other like it has been found in Ohio, and it values it as an early steel bridge and an example of Borneman's creativity. The road itself opened in 1831 to reach the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is an outstanding and unusual example of early steel bridge design in Ohio, with no other like it found in the state. It is tied to August Borneman, proprietor of the Hocking Valley Bridge Works, a bridge builder and inventor. Its construction resembles the nearby John Bright #02 Covered Bridge.
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 78002060, listed September 20, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2 mi. (3.2 km) NE of Carroll on Havensport Rd., Carroll |
|---|---|
| County | Fairfield County |
| Listed | September 20, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002060 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Hocking Valley Bridge Works |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as fair; the bridge has changed little, was recently painted with aluminum paint, and has an asphalt-covered floor and a later wooden support under the center. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.82934, -82.67418 (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 78002060.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q82751389
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.