Wheeling Suspension Bridge, Spanning East channel of Ohio River at U.S. Route 40, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV

Significance: Oldest vehicular suspension bridge still in operation in the world; span in excess of 1,0000 feet. First bridge built crossing the Ohio River. Originally designed and built by Charles Ellet in 1849, it was often called the father of modern American suspension bridges. In 1969 it was designated an ASCE National Engineering Landmark, and a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1976. The Wheeling Bridge is perhaps the most important extant antebellum civil engineering structure in North America.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-24
Survey number: HAER WV-2
Building/structure dates: 1848-1849 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1854-1860 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1886 Subsequent Work
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 70000662