DIXON ROAD BRIDGE - EATON, OHIO

 Dixon Road Bridge, six miles west of Eaton, in Preble County, in Ohio. Intersected-Dixon Road (TR-242) Over 4 Mile Creek. Construction Date-1858. Length-61'. Structure Type-Single Span, Metal 4 Panel Rivet-Connected Polygonal Warren Pony Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Champion Bridge Company of Wilmington, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-Not Available. Inventory Number-6836488. GPS: 39.728970°N, -84.765360°W.

The 1950s and 1960s were the finality of the transition from aesthetic bridge design to "purely functional" bridge design, where the "art" in bridge building came to a close thus ending a tradition of beauty in bridges. As a result, this bridge, with a 1958 construction date, represents the end of this transition. While it still has aesthetic value, mainly in the old-fashioned rivets, it is quite plain, with its rolled i-beams.

SMITH ROAD BRIDGE - FAIRHAVEN, OHIO

Smith Road Bridge in Fairhaven, in Preble County, in Ohio. Intersected- Concord-Fairhaven Road Over 4 Mile Creek. Construction Date-1955. Length-76.0'. Structure Type-Single Span, Metal 5 Panel Rivet-Connected Polygonal Warren Pony Truss, Fixed. Builder/Contractor: Champion Bridge Company of Wilmington, Ohio. Rehabilitation Date-Not Available. Inventory Number-6841333. GPS: 39.651080°N, -84.768740°W.

This bridge is one of a number of unusual pony truss bridges built by the Champion Bridge Company in Preble County well after the truss bridge era had come to a close in most of the country. They are noted for their use of modern design such as rolled beams and omission of any built-up beams, while continuing the older, traditional use of rivets for connections. The riveted connections are a contrast to the welded truss bridges that were built in Ohio around the same time as these bridges and continue to be built in the present day.