BRIDGEPORT – The fifth graders of Bridgeport Middle School were welcomed to the Blaine Hill “S” Bridge Educational Day Sept. 18, held on the 197-year-old bridge and beside the newly rebuiltBlaine Hill Arches of Memory Viaduct dating from 1932 and the I-70 highway constructed in 1968. The route was recently reopened after two years of work.
Organizations including the Ohio National Road Association, the Pease Township Parks and Recreation Board, the Belmont County Tourism Council and the Ohio Department of Transportation participated. The fifth graders divided into groups and took turns at learning and activity stations.
Local historian John Marshall shared details.
“I will walk up and down the bridge with the kids and tell them about the importance of National Road and the S Bridge,” he said. “I will be focusing on mainly the history of this first federally-funded highway and historic national road coming through Belmont County, and the S-Bridge which is an iconic bridge, the largest three-span bridge for quite a while.”
He hopes the fifth graders see their hometown with new eyes as they imagine the past.
“We’re trying to build historical perspective for them,” he said. “I have them look down and tell them they’re looking at history.”
Marshall’s talk also encompasses the viaduct which was built when traffic became more prevalent.
The organizers’ new partnership with ODOT has given an added dimension to the field trip as they talk about the importance of the area in transportation throughout the state and the westward expansion.
Marshall said last year the viaduct was being rebuilt and they were concerned an education day might not be possible this year.
“But in fact, what happened was the people from ODOT became involved and they enlarged the program,” Marshall said.
ODOT spokeswoman Lauren Borrell said this was a chance for outreach. She describes ODOT’s work and the many careers in engineering, environmental care and maintenance.
“This is our second year doing this. Last year we had so much fun with the students, interacting with them and having the opportunity to not only talk about the Blaine Bridge as it was under construction and the history of the Blaine Bridge, but we also got to share future opportunities at ODOT for careers.”
She added it was a pleasure to work with the school district.
The fifth graders got a close look at what travel was once like. Jeff Kirk brought his 1922 Model T Ford which would have been seen on the S bridge. He showed them the difference between it and a modern car. Andy Wildman brought his 1965 Corvair Monza convertible.
Kiddos also got to experience transportation from the earliest days of the “S” Bridge when local historian Bruce Vannest brought his horse-drawn covered wagon.
Anne Rattine, schoolmarm with the Great Western School in St. Clairsville, was another returning favorite as she introduced the fifth graders to activities such as Graces, a Victorian-era game using sticks and hoops, and another game where students attempted to drop a clothespin into a bottle without looking directly into it.
“They enjoy doing both sets of games,” she said. “Most students are open to new ideas and are willing to try something, and if they find success with it they enjoy it.”
Pease Township Parks and Recreation President Kim Mokros said this was Parks and Recreations’ biggest event. They value the partnership with Bridgeport Exempted Village School District.
“This is our fourth year of doing it, and the kids enjoy it so much,” she said. “They get here and they get to see the cars that drove on this bridge, the horse and buggy that used this bridge for transportation before the viaduct was built and the schoolmarm and the way the schools ran.”
Bridgeport Middle School fifth and sixth grade Social Studies teacher John Sears said the students learned background material.
“We talked about the old bridge, when it was built,” he said. “How long it’s been in construction, how it used to be linked with Route 40, and before the interstate highway systems how Route 40 was kind of the lifeblood of America and how that’s since changed. For the kids, anytime they see a piece of history firsthand and we take these field trips and get to learn hands-on, the kids are always excited.”
As a new teacher, Sears was impressed by the variety of participants who brought history close to hand.
“Having a piece of roadway like this that used to link America, the fact that these kids come here and see the old architecture and compare it to the new architecture that we have now that these kids use on a regular basis, it kind of puts it into perspective how far we’ve come.”
Middle School Principal Aaron Marovich said Bridgeport Schools is grateful for the partnerships and support that made this learning experience possible.
“This field trip is a great example of how community organizations can come together to create meaningful, hands-on educational opportunities that connect students to the history of their own community,” he said. “We are proud to provide experiences like this for our students and appreciate the community members who continue to invest in their learning and future success.”
Fifth graders including Grayson were excited.
“It’s pretty nice. The bridges look well-built and there’s a lot of activity here,” he said. He said the schoolmarm’s games were fun and challenging.
Olivia, was taking in the sights.
“There’s so many activities and it’s so old-fashioned and it looks so unique to be here and do so many things,” she said. “I’m so grateful to be here and this trip is amazing.”
Avalynn agreed.
“It’s very old and it’s cool they still have it,” she said. “I really like those old cars.”
