The bridge in this early-20th-century postcard still stands. Since I made this photo, this bridge was refreshed and received a coat of brick red paint.
The George Street Bridge was built in 1887 by the Lomas Forge & Bridge Works. It’s a Whipple truss bridge. Squire Whipple was the first to design a truss using this design, which is named for him. The diagonal members bear the load, crossing a vertical member along the way. They’re also beautiful.
Here’s a view of the bridge that shows the diagonal members better.
The pictured traction terminal is long gone, as is the CL & A (Cincinnati, Lawrenceburg, and Aurora) Interurban line. It operated from 1900 to 1930, at which time the line was purchased by the Cincinnati Street Railway and service was cut back to serve only Cincinnati.
The George Street Bridge never carried the CL & A, as the line ended just before the bridge to the east. Fortunately, it was a short walk over the bridge into Aurora. For a number of years, this bridge carried US 50 into Aurora.
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