If you’re into forgotten places and history-rich relics like I am, then this story out of Waterville, Ohio might grab your attention.
The Roche de Boeuf Interurban Bridge—a crumbling, yet iconic structure that stretches across the Maumee River—just got a temporary lifeline. Originally slated for removal by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the project has been delayed after local residents pushed back, asking for more time to explore alternatives.
Here’s the cool part: this bridge isn’t just any old overpass. Built in 1908, the Roche de Boeuf (which means “rock of beef” in French, oddly enough) was part of an electric interurban railway that once connected Toledo and Lima, Ohio. It even passed over an actual limestone rock once used by Native Americans and early settlers for meetings and ceremonies. Over time, the rail line shut down, and the bridge fell into disrepair—but its massive concrete arches still tower over the river, a ghost of transit past.
Locals don’t want to see it disappear, and now the city has formed an exploratory committee to look into possible alternatives to demolition, including public ownership. ODOT will stick around as a technical advisor while the committee gets to work.
Whether this leads to restoration, reuse, or just a safer way to let it stand, it’s a reminder that sometimes history still has a shot—even in a world obsessed with moving forward.
