Once The Longest Suspension Bridge In America, Kentucky's John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge Was A True Feat Of Engineering
By Sarah McCosham|Published June 15, 2022
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
We’re going to begin this article with a caveat: yes, the John A. Roebling Suspension is technically shared by both Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. The mighty Ohio flows beneath, and beauteous vistas can be found on both sides. So the bridge is a shared entity, and it’s an iconic part of both cities’ skylines. But that doesn’t make the Roebling, once the longest suspension bridge in America — and the world! — any less of a Bluegrass treasure, and a huge point of pride for Kentuckians.
This is the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, an architectural marvel spanning 1,057 feet between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky.
In fact, when the Roebling opened on December 1, 1866, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Later, in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge would usurp this title, coming in at an astounding 1,595.5 feet.
But that doesn't diminish the Roebling's pomp and grandeur. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and a designated U.S. National Historic Landmark, the bridge remains one of the most iconic and amazing pieces of architecture in the country, and an important part of Northern Kentucky culture.
Pedestrians today use the bridge to get between the sports venues in Cincinnati (Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park, and U.S. Bank Arena) and the myriad amazing hotels, bars, restaurants, and parking lots in Northern Kentucky.
For over 150 years, Kentuckians have marveled at this architectural beauty. It was, is, and will always be one of the biggest points of pride in the Bluegrass State!