Rodrick Bridge
Why it's listed
Built in 1872 by the Coshocton Iron Works, this 101-foot-6-inch bridge is a Whipple bowstring truss, a design patented by Squire Whipple in 1841 that pairs curved cast-iron compression chords with wrought-iron tension rods and braces. It originally crossed Wills Creek in Coshocton County, where flooding, debris, vandalism and fire badly damaged it, and it was closed to traffic in 1975. Rather than lose it, the bridge was taken apart piece by piece in 1996-1997. Parts were cleaned, cracked castings were brazed or recast, corroded rods were replaced, and a new white oak deck was laid. It now spans a drainage ditch on the Ohio State University Newark campus as part of a bike and pedestrian trail. It is listed for its engineering and architectural value as one of very few surviving Whipple bowstring trusses, and it keeps enough original material and design to convey that early bridge-building technique.
Significance in brief: The bridge is significant under Criterion C as an example of the cast and wrought iron Whipple bowstring truss, a type patented by Squire Whipple in 1841. It was built by the Coshocton Iron Works, one of few known bridges of this type outside New York. Only about four Whipple bowstring truss bridges were known to survive in the United States as of 1991. It meets the moved-property consideration because it keeps its integrity of materials, design, craftsmanship, association and feeling.
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 98000442, listed May 22, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Granville Rd., between Hall Ave. and Village Dr. W, Newark |
|---|---|
| County | Licking County |
| Listed | May 22, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000442 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1872 |
| Architect / builder | Coshocton Iron Works (original); J. B. Riddel and Associates (renovation); Kel-Par Construction (renovation and move) |
| Architectural style | Other: Whipple Bowstring Truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Dismantled, repaired and relocated in 1996-1997 to serve as part of a bike/pedestrian trail; a new deck was installed and a railing was planned. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.06817, -82.44057 (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 98000442.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q122364687
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.