Photo Provided ELEMENTARY students from Bridgeport Schools gather around the historical marker for the Blaine S Bridge off National Road. The field trip to the bridge was a first for some of the pupils.

BLAINE — Bridgeport Exempted Village School District’s elementary pupils recently learned about the Blaine S Bridge — a historic structure near their school that some of the children didn’t know existed, according to Stephanie Jennette, a Pease Township Park District board of commissioner.

Jennette said a group of third- and fourth-graders recently visited the site and learned about its history and how it was constructed.

“They loved it. … They were amazed by it. Next year we will do another one,” she said, noting the next event will just be for third-graders, the group she described as the most curious during their trip to the span.

Jennette said though the bridge has been in existence since its construction in 1828, some people are unaware it is there because of its location — tucked off National Road beside the Blaine Viaduct.

“The bridge is tucked away basically. A lot of people who travel up Blaine Hill don’t even know it’s there,” she said.

Jennette said the board wanted to give the tours to make the children more aware of their local history. She said members are also wanting to make people more aware of the historic National Road and what it has to offer.

The board has been sprucing up its section of U.S. 40 via street sweeper, and it also installed colorful “Gateway to the West” banners on its utility poles. Members also are planning to have Christmas lights on poles this season as well. They also purchased American flags and used them on the poles, too.

“We’re trying to make 40 a little nice,” she said.

The park district is in charge of the S Bridge and its maintenance.

“We take care of it. We’ve hired Property Maintenance Services. They keep it clean for us and … and take the mold out of the bricks,” she said, noting the company also has taken down dead trees near the bridge along with other landscaping.

The bridge is known as Ohio’s oldest. It is situated on one of the original sections of National Road that has since closed. Restoration of the bridge took about five years and was completed in 2005. Since then the site has been used for picnics, a background for senior portraits, engagement pictures and more.

“This bridge is actually totally open to the public. Anyone can go on this bridge. … We’ve had weddings up there. You can have a party or whatever. You have to clean it up when you’re done,” she said. “There are no bathrooms up there. If someone wants to have wedding they can get a porta-potty.”

She said people are free to use the site for ceremonies, as there is no cost. However, there is no way reserve it, either. People can just show up and hope no one else is using it for a wedding that day, she said.

In addition to Jennette, other board members include Nancy Loston, Kim Polomik, Marcy Tennant, Mildred “Mike” Weese and fiscal officer Stacey Oliver.

The S Bridge is a Roman-style stone bridge. It is 345 feet long and has three arches; one is 25 feet in length, another 35 feet and the third is 45 feet long. It was designed with an S shape so it could withstand Wheeling Creek’s currents. During the 2004 flood, water hit the arches’ tops, but the bridge did not fail, according to information provided by Jennette.

The Blaine Bridge Community Preservation Project kicked off following repairs to the largest arch, which collapsed in 1998. Full restoration of the entire bridge was finished in 2005.

The bridge can be reached by taking National Road to Pasco Road in Blaine.