FREDERICKTOWN Restoring historical bridge

The 19th-century bridge is in a picturesque valley.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
FREDERICKTOWN -- Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson stood on the steel deck of a 110-year-old bridge and noted that he could replace the span with a modern one for less than it would cost to renovate the 19th century structure.
Dawson isn't going the cheaper route, though.
"We think there's value in restoring this," said the long-time engineer.
The ornate 116-foot span on Midland-Fredericktown Road in St. Clair Township stretches across the sparkling boulder-strewn waters of the North Fork of Little Beaver Creek.
Steep forested hills form the narrow valley the bridge crosses. On one side of the structure is Fredericktown.
This hamlet of about 30 people features several restored 19th century buildings of log and stone. The mossy remains of an old mill rest near the bridge, constructed in 1893 by the Penn Bridge Co. of Beaver Falls, Pa.
Erecting a new concrete span here would be like marring the finish of a valuable antique with a garish coat of paint.
"It's part of the mystique of the area," Dawson said of the bridge.
The timeworn span is showing its age. Many of its steel structural parts are rusting like a car that's seen too many Midwest winters.
Dawson wants to replace the decay with new metal. Fresh paint will resurrect the structure's luster and protect it well into this new century.
Historical structure
The project won't be cheap, costing about $517,000.
Dawson has about $300,000 of that raised through a state grant. The county also is willing to put up some of the money through its road and bridge fund, but more cash must be sought from other sources, he noted.
Dawson plans to break the project into two phases -- structural renovation and painting.
Structural work may begin this winter and take about six months. Painting will follow as soon as more money is landed, he said.
The Fredericktown bridge won't be the first historical structure the county has saved.
The engineer's department has restored two other 19th century steel bridges and several covered bridges in the county.
Dawson also is trying to land money to rebuild a historical train depot in Lisbon.
His effort to rescue the Fredericktown bridge has the support of Gary Winterburn, who is associated with the Vodrey Trust, a private concern dedicated to preserving the Little Beaver Creek corridor.
There are so few of the 19th century steel bridges left that it's important to save them whenever possible, Winterburn said.
"It's a jewel," he said of the Fredericktown span.