White Bridge
Also known as: Riverside Cemetery Bridge
Why it's listed
Carrying a road over Yellow Creek beside Riverside Cemetery in Poland Village, this 127-foot bridge was completed in 1877 by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio. Its single span is a bowstring arch through-truss, with an arch made from oval wrought iron tubes rather than the more usual square or round ones. The oval tube was patented by William Rezner, a Cleveland physician and inventor, and the bridge uses the special abutment shoe covered by his 1872 patent. The nomination identifies it as the only surviving bridge of its kind in Ohio and one of three known nationally. Its length is unusual for the type, requiring three sets of sway bracing. Henry Grant Morse of Poland, who worked for the builder, later founded the Morse Bridge Company in Youngstown. Apart from steel decking replacing wood and added paint, the structure is described as unchanged since 1877, and it remains in use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the only surviving oval tubular arch bowstring bridge in Ohio and one of only three known in the country. It uses William Rezner's patented oval arch and a special shoe from his 1872 patent. It also reflects the work of local figures tied to Ohio bridge building and industry.
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 83004319, listed December 11, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | .07 miles E of SR 616 crossing Yellow Creek, Poland Village |
|---|---|
| County | Mahoning County |
| Listed | December 11, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004319 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1877 |
| Architect / builder | Wrought Iron Bridge Co. of Canton, Ohio |
| Architectural style | Bowstring arch through-truss with oval tubular arch |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Invention |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and still in use, though the statement of significance says it is in need of repair. The wooden decking and guardrails were replaced with steel. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.02693, -80.61321 (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 83004319.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q122227514
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.