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All the United States Ohio Cleveland Cuyahoga Jack-Knife Bridge #464
AO Edited

Cuyahoga Jack-Knife Bridge #464

An abandoned, rusty old relic of railroad history stands at attention over the Cuyahoga River.

Cleveland, Ohio

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Brandon Parsons
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Green and fuzzy.   MrPExplores / Atlas Obscura User
Entering the bridge - August 2023   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
Looking up along the bridge - August 2023   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
Looking up.   MrPExplores / Atlas Obscura User
Massive gears locked in “up” position.”   MrPExplores / Atlas Obscura User
Vine-covered and rusty glory.   MrPExplores / Atlas Obscura User
Nature closing in.   MrPExplores / Atlas Obscura User
Night shot of the bridge.   MrPExplores / Atlas Obscura User
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About

As a former gritty and coal-fueled industrial powerhouse, Cleveland, Ohio was once crisscrossed by the steel rails that brought coke, coal, iron ore, and untold other materials to the steel mills and factories.

Rail was king at the time. Across the city were gleaming steel twin rails twisting and turning through Cleveland's Flats, the industrial valley along the Cuyahoga River. Although most of the mills are gone and most of the tracks have been dismantled or scrapped, there are still a few grand examples of Northern Ohio's rail and steel past.

Take for instance, the old Baltimore and Ohio Cuyahoga River Jack-Knife Bridge #464. The massive old lift bridge built in 1907 allowed trains to cross the Cuyahoga River and freighters to pass. Today, it stands as a sentinel against the blue skies rusted and covered in vines. Visitors to the bridge can park right next to the structure and walk up the trackbed. Gazing towards the sky, one can see gargantuan rusted-red gears, a dizzying geometric spread of girders, and the rusty rails still attached to the wooden railroad ties of the bridge. The site allows for some amazing views and photography opportunities.

Wedding parties use it regularly in the summer months for a scenic backdrop for their special occasion. 

Related Tags

Bridges Railroads Architecture History

Know Before You Go

Park at the Shooter's/Cleveland Improv Night Club; on some weekdays, parking is free, or find another spot nearby on the streets. You can't miss the bridge. Just be sure to stay on the wooden boardwalk constructed through the bridge, and definitely do NOT attempt to climb on anything. 

Community Contributors

Added By

MrPExplores

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dominicbenford, rondann38 d253c9cc

  • dominicbenford
  • rondann38 d253c9cc

Published

April 15, 2021

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  • https://bridgehunter.com/oh/cuyahoga/bh57589/
Cuyahoga Jack-Knife Bridge #464
1148 Main Ave
Cleveland, Ohio, 44113
United States
41.49822, -81.707023
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