In the early days of Hamilton and Rossville, the only means of crossing the Miami river was by ferries, brush dams and fording.
     In 1804, Michael Delorac, the proprietor of an Inn in Rossville at the southeast corner of Front and North streets, operated a ferry, landing at the foot of Dayton street near the Torrenee and Murray taverns.  About the same time Tolbert's ferry plied the river from the east end of Main in Rossville, to High street in Hamilton.
     One bright fall day when the Delorac ferry was crossing the river from the East side, two little tots were aboard bound for the "Hickory Flats" which extended from the old Eaton road one mile west along the Oxford pike.  When midway of the stream, the collector begun taking fare and found these children with no money to pay their transportation.  The ferry was ordered to return to the East side for the purpose of ejecting them.  Mr. Delorac commanded the ferryman to come on and "never to charge a widow or her children."  The tots were Jane and William McMechan.  Jane, after she grew to womanhood married Hon. Jesse Corwin.
     The ferries were discontinued in 1819, when the bridge was completed.  Subsequently a brush dam was constructed across the river a short distance north of town to avoid paying toll over the bridge.
     The Miami bridge was built by an act of the legislature authorizing Joseph Hough, James McBride, John Sutherland, Joseph Wilson, John Hall, Samuel Dick, Isaac Falconer, Samuel Millikin, Thomas C. Kelsey, William Murray, Pierson Sayre, Robert Taylor, William Riddle, Thomas Blair and Michael Delorac, to erect a toll bridge over the Miami river, between the towns of Hamilton and Rossville, in the county of Butler.  This act was passed Feb. 20, 1816.
     In November, 1817, books for the subscription of stock were opened, under the superintendence of Joseph Hough, Thomas Blair, John Hall and James McBride.  No person was permitted to subscribe without paying an installment of five

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dollars on the share at the time of subscribing.  Daily reports were made to the president.  In a few days three hundred and forty-five shares, more than half the stock authorized, was subscribed.  On Saturday Nov. 24, 1817, the subscription books were closed.  The managers then advertised for an election to be held at Murray's tavern, Saturday, December 27.  At this election John Reily, Samuel Dick, John Sutherland, Joseph Hough, John Hall, Joseph Wilson and James McBride, were elected directors.
     The directors met at the house of William Murray, Tuesday, November 30, and appointed John Reily, president and James McBride, secretary.  The following advertisement was published in The Hamilton Miami Herald and The Cincinnati Western Spy.
     NOTICE. - The president and directors of the Miami Bridge Company, will receive proposals (with models or plans accompanying the same) for building a bridge over the Miami river, between the towns of Hamilton and Rossville, until the second Saturday in March.

     The contract was awarded to Nathan S. Hunt at $17,000, Mar. 23, 1818.  The  bridge was to e completed Sept. 7, 1819.
     The science of bridge building was but little known at this time in the Western country.  There was but one bridge in the state, and that was over the Scioto river at Chillicothe.
     During the summer of 1818, stone was procured and the abutments and middle pier were erected.  In the summer of 1819 the frame work was raised and the wood work progressed finely.  The summer and fall of 1819 were the most unhealthy ever known in Hamilton and Rossville.  Mr. Hunt, the contractor, died early in September.  However, Ira Hunt and Duran Whittlesy, the executors of Hunt, who were his sureties for the performance of the work - in conjunction with the directors - carried on the work.  The floor was laid in the fall of 1819.  In December the bridge was opened for the passage of travelers.  During the winter the bridge was enclosed, and in the spring following, the roof was put on.  Travel was continued during the time.

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     The original contract price for building the bridge was $17,000; but in a settlement made by the directors with the executors of the contractor, Nov. 26, 1821, it was agreed that the sum $1,756.25 should be deducted for deficiencies and work not performed, which was required by the contract.
     Extras were allowed outside the contract which made the total cost of the bridge $25,194.84.
     The records show the bridge paid for itself every five years.
     The whole length of the bridge under roof was three hundred and eighty feet.  It had two carriage ways each twelve feet wide in the clear and two foot passages on the outside of the ribs or segments of the arches, each five feet in the clear, making the whole width of the bridge thirty-eight feet wide.  It was enclosed with weather boards and had seventeen windows on each side, with Venetian blinds to each.  All of the windows, except the one at the north middle pier were closed, after the wife of Sheriff Samuel H. Millikin, committed suicide by jumping from one of them.
     The following is a list of the toll-gatherers: Jonathan Beal, Dec. 29, 1819; William Phares, July 7, 1825; Thomas Phares, Sept. 1, 1825; Robert Hewes, April 1, 1826; Dayton Low, Oct. 5. 1831; Richard Easton, Apr. 6, 1833; Pierson Sayre, Apr. 1, 1835; Lawrence Smith, Ap. 1, 1847; Isaac Whistler, George Totten, William Elliott, Asa Burch and Thomas Sterrett.
     Below will be found a list of treasurers of the Miami Bridge Company: Thomas Blair, Joseph Hough, Joseph Landis, John Winton, John S. Gordon, Mordicai M. Saunders, George R. Bigham, John M. Millikin and James Rossman.
     In 1829 the wing walls were tken down to the foundation and rebuilt with a better quality of stone.
     In February, 1832, an extrordinary high flood occurred in the Miami river, which loosened and washed out some of the stone in the eastern abutment, and much endangering that end of the bridge, requiring it to be supported on trussels.  During the summer and fall the abutments were torn down and rebuilt

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in a substantial manner.  The bridge was re-shingled in 1837.  A high flood during the same year greatly damaged the bridge and it was thoroughly repaird.  Moses Connor and Peter Myers performed the work.
     In the flood of September, 1866, that devastated Southern Ohio and Indiana, Hamilton did not escape the general damage to public and private property.
     The rain which had  been steadily and powerfully falling for ten days previous, culuminated culminated on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in a general down pouring of the elements that presaged disaster.  Some, at the time, were pleased to style it our equinoctial storm, but to us who remember it distinctly, it seemed to be the same old rain that had been with us for lo! these many days.
     It certainly poured on Monday and Tuesday nights.  The Miami begun to rise majestically at first, but as the tributaries fed it its rage became fairly terrific.  During all day and night of Wednesday and Thursday its banks were lined with a curious and awe-struck crowd watching the floating driftwood, fences, barns and even houses.  At its highest point Thursday it was eighteen inches above the higher water mark of 1847, the year known as the great flood.
     By daylight on Thursday it became evident that the old bridge was to have a severer test than it had ever before met with, but others believed it would outweather the flood.  Perhaps it might have done so, but at 10 o'clock a mammoth Sycamore tree on the Delorac island, fell and came tumbling down the river, and diving about half-way underneath, struck the piling that encircled the pier and came up with a terrible force through the south side of the west span, tearing a large hole in the structure.  Still, however, it hung together, but at 11 o'clock p. m. another giant tree struck the pier, and the old bridge fell from its ancient mooring and launched forth for a voyage by water.  It has been asserted by James McBride that the middle pier was of solid masonry, but such was not  the case.  It was hollow to a depth of twenty-five or thirty feet.  Captain Phillip Rothenbush, Andrew Gressle, Jacob Huffman,

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Charles Falconer, Charles Huffman and the writer have explored on many an occasion "The hole in the middle pier!"
     There are but two remaining relics of the old bridge - the memorial tablet, which is imbedded in the wing wall of the new bridge and the original seal of the Miami Bridge Company, now owned by Miss Anderson, of Venice.
     Jacob Stillwaugh witnessed the passage of a drove of sheep over the bridge, but instead of keeping in the road they jumped over the southeast approach and fell on a shed, then rolled off on the sand bank.
     It was no unfrequent occurrence to see a drove of turkeys cross the bridge - some of them at night fall.  It was amusing to see a number of them make a roost on the bridge arches.  The drivers would continue on their trip, paying no attention to the missing ones.  Next morning the "boys" would be out at day break catching turkeys.
     We make the following beautiful and touching extract from Mrs. Laura B. Palmer's (nee Creighton) contribution to the Centennial Souvenir.  It was assigned a place following the advertisements; it should have received a more prominent position.

     "The old wooden bridge is gone, and with it many a pleasant reminiscence.  Far be it from me to stay the hand of Progress; for you who have, for so many years, viewed its weather stained sides, and traversed its dust covered floors, I can conceive how, with feelings of pride, you saw the old structure replaced by the new.  But ah! quite sadly do I lament its going."
     "Oft has memory recalled the dear old town, and dwelt long and lovingly o'er the picture, and ever in the panoramic view was the wooden bridge.  On one side of its entrance, the toll-gatekeeper sitting astride a chair, resting his head upon its back; on the other, the old mill, with its busy wheel ever dashing the pacific waters of the Great Miami into angry, turbulent waves, that in my mind rivaled in grandure the great Niagara Falls."
     "Surely lovers sigh, as they recall the quiet walks within its walls, secure from the eyes and ears of the multitude; and the laborer, as he thinks of its kindly shelter from the ruder elements without.  I had thought sometime in the future I would stroll through its familiar aisles, and listen to the measured tread of horses' feet, as their owners, obeying the injunction of the ordinance, guided them slowly through, and, for the once, be a child again, hurrying with a band of lighthearted girls over to school; for hark! the mellow tones of the dear old town clock, even now, strike the hour."
     "But, on the wings of Time, come to me tales that the old Court House, too, is gone; and that hushed is the tongue of the dear old bell, whose musical

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cadences for years so faithfully proclaimed the hour.  The old Court House, so big with events of historic interest; so big with memories of forensic triumphs; the witness of human victories and defeats.  Who does not recall the old chamber, where gifted minds met in peaceful encounters and won victories more renowned than those of war?  Gone - and a new edifice has arisen from the ashes of the old; but is it in the emerald setting that surrounded the old structure, and do the honeysuckles and sweet syringas still send forth rich aromas from their shady corners into the dusty streets?"
     "Yes; one by one the old landmarks that identified the past with the present, are drifting away."

THE PONTOON AND FOOT BRIDGE.

     After the old bridge was gone Henry Woods - an old time lake sailor - built a pontoon bridge. In a short time he had it in operation at the foot of Ross street.  It met the exigencies of the times and proved a financial success.
     James Rossman and others constructed a wire foot bridge over the river on the former site of the Miami Bridge.  It was operated about a year and yielded a handsome revenue to its projectors.  Samuel Shaffer and George Knox were toll collectors.  It was taken down after the completion of the suspension bridge and sent to Richmond, Indiana.  James Rossman and others constructed a wire foot bridge over the river on the former site of the Miami Bridge.  It was operated about a year and yielded a handsome revenue to its projectors.  Samuel Shaffer and George Knox were toll collectors.  It was taken down after the completion of the suspension bridge and sent to Richmond, Indiana.

THE JUNCTION RAILROAD BRIDGE.
[From the Hamilton Intelligencer, Dec. 24, 1853.]

     "It will be seen by the following communication that we are to have a free bridge over the river connecting the southern portion of Hamilton and Rossville, if the proposition of the Junction Railroad company meets with encouragement.  We believe there will be no difficulty in making satisfactory arrangements which will secure this important improvement.  We are for removing all restrictions upon the business and intercourse between the East and West sides of the river.  The West ward will have its railroad depots and the Central High school of the city, while the East side will probably have the city buildings, in a location where they will be equally accessable from all parts of the city.  The East and West sides on the north and south will be connected by the new bridges, while Main street on the west and High on the east will be united by the present bridge, which will no doubt be purchased by the county, with the aid of the city.  We congratulate our citizens upon the prospect that is opening before them.  By united action the permanent improvements of the next year on each side of the river will far exceed even our most sanguine expectations."
     [The new bridge at the north end of town referred to in the above article was the Four Mile Valley Railroad bridge, which was to have been built from the foot of North street on the west side to Dayton street on the east side. The road was

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to follow the hydraulic on Water street to Market; thence east on Market to Fourth to the C, H. & D. railroad.  John Woods addressed the following communication to the town council of Hamilton, through the Intelligencer.]

HAMILTON, OHIO, November 19, 1853.                 

     GENTLEMEN: - I understand the subject of annexation, or consolidation of Hamilton and Rossville, is under consideration by you and as it may have some bearing, on the question, I deem it proper to say, that it is possible on the part of the Junction Railroad Company to make their bridge over Rossville. the river free for the passage of wagons, carriages and travel generally, if the right of way shall be granted by the town of Hamilton, and it shall meet with the proper encouragement and aid of the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville.        

Very respectfully,    JOHN WOODS.         

THE COLUMBIA BRIDGE

     Is a frame structure, south of the Junction railroad bridge.  It was used to a considerable extent during the building of the suspension bridge.  It has fallen into disuse.

THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE

     Feb. 12, 1867, the County Commissioners, consisting of W. W. Caldwell, William H. Miller and David Marts, took up the subject of awarding the contract for building a bridge over the Miami river in the city of Hamilton, and after mature deliberation, decided to build an Iron Wire Suspension Bridge, and awarded the contract to Gray, Morse & Young, of Cincinnati, Ohio, at their bid of $85,000, in case the Council of the city of Hamilton complied with the requirements of the County Commissioners.  The Auditor was directed to notify Gray, Morse & Young to meet them on Feb. 20, 1867, to enter into the bond and contract.

THE BLACK STREET BRIDGE.

     July 15, 1893, was the day appointed, by advertising, to receive bids for the Black Street bridge.  The bidders were given ten minutes to explain their plans and specifications, after which the plans were laid over until July 16, 1892, for further consideration.  On July 18, t he Board of Commission

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ers considered the plans for the Black Street bridge as submitted by the various bidders.  After a satisfactory examination the following resolution was offered by Mr. Berk:

     Resolved, That we award the contract for the superstructure of the Black Street bridge in Hamilton, to the Toledo Bridge company of Toledo, Ohio, at their bid of $25,990, and that the Prosecuting Attorney is authorized and directed to prepare a contract for same, between the board and the said Toledo Bridge company.

THE NEW HIGH AND MAIN STREET BRIDGE.

     The new high truss bridge that spans the Miami river at High and Main streets is a triumph of modern engineering and is the most substantial bridge in the United States.  It was built in 1894-95, at a cost of about $109,000.