ROCHE de BOEUF BRIDGE NEEDS YOUR HELP!
The Roche de Boeuf bridge, sometimes known from Waterville as the Trolley Bridge, was used by the Lima Toledo Traction Company and claimed to make it from Waterville to Toledo in 20 minutes. It was built by the National Bridge Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. The company promised that they would not damage or destroy the rock known as Roche de Boeuf, sacred to the Native American. Clarence Dodd owned the Rock by riparian rights and deeded the company a right-of way across his property. As the bridge was being built it was apparent that the rock was damaged. In fact almost one third of the rock was blown away to create support for one of the bridge piers. The people were up and arms but what could they do. The deed was done. It was a beautiful bridge built with a “Roman Aqueduct” design, 1220 feet in length with 12 arches spanning the Maumee River. The arches, ranging 70-90 feet in length, were dirt filled and 45 feet above the water at lowest level. This was done with wooden forms as shown in the picture taken by John Findlay Torrence (Tory) Isham, son of John George and Sarah Cooper Isham, who lived nearby. He was an amateur photographer, farmer and former teacher at Neowash School on Neowash Road. He was also a surveyor possibly under local surveyor Charles Shoemaker. He worked as a surveyor in several northwestern states for the Great Northern Railroad Line from 1881 to 1891. He became interested in home photography around 1900, taking many photos of local scenes that interested him. These photos were taken on glass negatives, which were developed and printed in his home darkroom. Some of his photographs are of the bridge at Roche de Boeuf being built. The Wakeman Archives has on display the camera and his mounting equipment that was used in taking pictures of this bridge.
On November 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Waterville Primary School the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is holding a public meeting in regards to the Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge to address safety concerns associated with the bridge, located in Wood County and Lucas County, Ohio. The bridge is the former Ohio Electric Interurban Electric Railway bridge that crosses the Maumee River near Waterville, Ohio and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The meeting is to present and discuss the alternatives currently under consideration and solicit input regarding the proposed project to stabilize or remove the bridge to make the waterway safe for canoers and those walking under the bridge. Your attendance is needed to voice your concerns either way you wish the project to go. If you don’t want to lose your voice you need to attend this meeting or send someone to present your ideas.