"1854 had seen the completion of the Central Ohio Railroad from Columbus and the Stone Bridge connecting the Central Ohio Railroad and the B. & O. was completed in 1871."

"The Stone Bridge, over a mile and a half long at the time of its construction, in the period between 1867 and 1871, was the longest stone arch bridge in the United States.  Three sandstone piers seated in bedrock under the river's surface carry the three main spans along 31st Street.  A long series of stone arches, looking like aqueducts built by the Romans, support the bridge level until it equals the hillside and the bridge ends."

"Forty-three perfect arches, 35 feet above the ground, extending three quarters of a mile in a curve on a grade of 60 feet to a mile and constituting an approach for a steel bridge were cut to fit neatly into 30,000 cubic yards of masonry by men of unexcelled skill and industry."

"The cost of the bridge was one and a half million, an insignificant sum considering the constant and tremendous use it had, and has had since it opened to traffic June 21, 1871."

"Ohio sandstone for the bridge was quarried in the district near Bellaire and was cut in the area of the City Park, then ferried down the river to the bridge area.  Farmers from nearby areas were needed to learn the stone cutting trade or to assist stone cutters in their work  Some stories are told of Italian stone cutters being brought to this area to aid in the work but this cannot be authenticated.  Irish stone masons did come to Bellaire at this time."

"From a copy of the Intelligencer of June 22, 1871 the first engine to run over the iron railroad bridge from Bellaire to Benwood was taken for trial June 21st.  Engine No. 519 with Matthew Fogarty at the throttle and Capt. W. H. Harrison, master mechanic of the shops, as the pilot made the first trip.  During the day repeated trials were made and both freight and passenger trains passed over the rails.  But after that first trip it was Engineer James Sherry who took another engine with five cars attached for the first real trip over the bridge.  For a century now the bridge has carried trains each day, hauling commerce between the east and west.  Fear at times was expressed when the river was gorged with ice, or floods brought all kind of heavy obstacles against the heavy stone piers but they turned them aside and remained intact."

"The stone arches of the bridge look north toward Bellaire's business section today.  Where horses and buggies once stood, now cars vie for places up and down the streets."