Historic and unique bridges have a way of sticking in our collective memories. Many of us remember the bridge we crossed walking to school, a landmark on the way to visit relatives, the gateway out of town or a welcoming indication that you are back in familiar territory.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), in collaboration with the Ohio Historic Bridge Association, Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office, TourismOhio and historicbridges.org, has assembled a list of stunning bridges across the state that are well worth a journey.

Ohio has over 500 National Register-listed and historic bridges, including over 150 wooden covered bridges. The following map features iron, steel and concrete structures, and even a stone bridge built when canals were still helping to grow Ohio's economy. Some were built for transporting grain to market. Other bridges were specifically designed to blend into the scenic landscape of a state or municipal park.

Many of these featured bridges are Ohio Historic Bridge Award recipients. The annual award is given to bridge owners and engineers that rehabilitate, preserve or reuse historic structures. The awards are sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT and Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office.