Gates Mills Bridge

Information and Findings From Ohio's Historic Bridge Inventory

Setting/Context

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in Gates Mills. An early 19th century community that developed around the waterpowered Gates mill, the settlement was rediscovered by Cleveland's elite who established country retreats there starting in the late 19th century. The character of the town is decidedly Colonial Revival with the air of a well-to-do, New England town. The street car was extended to Gates Mills in 1899. It may have historic district potential, and the type and design of bridge reflect the desire to maintain its not-modern character.

Physical Description

The one span, 119' long, tied steel tied arch bridge is supported on concrete abutments that incorporate the ones from the previous span at the crossing. It has a 28' wide roadway and is 32' wide between the arches. The horizontal thrust of the arch rib is resisted by the horizontal tie that is in tension while the vertical forces are countered by the abutments. The ribs are welded, built up box sections, and the hangers that pick up the rolled floorbeams are also rolled section as are the lateral and sway bracing. The cantilevered sidewalks are finished with standard design metal railings. The expansion end is on rocker bearings. The bridge appears to be complete.

Summary of Significance

The steel tied arch bridge designed by Osborn Engineering Company of Cleveland, the oldest engineering firm in the city, was built in 1959 by the county. The custom design of the bridge reflects the stature of the community in which it is located and the efforts made to preserve and enhance its colonial character. Reportedly the mayor of Cleveland lived in Gates Mills at the time the bridge was constructed. While attractive and designed in deference to its setting, the bridge is not technologically significant. This is not the earliest tied arch bridge in the state. There are earlier examples in Mahoning County that date to 1949 and 1957. The bridge type had been used in this country since at least the early 1930s (1930-32 West End-North Side bridge over the Ohio River at Pittsburgh designed by the Allegheny County Department of Public Works). Osborn Engineering Company's design was repeated for the ca. 1961 Old Lorain Road over Rocky River bridge in the Rocky River Reservation. Osborn Engineering Company was established in 1892 by Frank J. Osborn, and it achieved a national reputation for stadiums built between 1900 and 1940, including Cleveland's non-extant Municipal Stadium. The full-service engineering firm also did many important buildings in Cleveland.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No