PRESS RELEASE -- March 25, 2008
New book "bridges" 200 years in Knox County
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio -- In a year when Knox County celebrates its bicentennial, it's very appropriate that a book be developed that explores and commemorates the importance of bridges throughout the county. Don E. Boyd, and adjunct art professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, is just such an author.
"Readers may remember the Mount Vernon book in the 'Images of America' series that I did in 2004," said Boyd. "I got the idea to do the bridges book because Jamie Henry, wife of Knox County Engineer Jim Henry, was in several of my classes at the University and Jim suggested we could collaborate on the book."
Working on the book Knox County Bridges since fall of 2006, Boyd said the research and photos came mostly from the Knox County Engineer's Office. A helpful article about Ohio bridges recently appeared in Timeline, the Ohio Historical Society's magazine, and served to further spark Boyd's interest.
Knox County had its beginnings at the confluence of the waters of Center Run with the Kokosing River. This pictorial history of the spanning of area waterways is mostly a story of disasters. Many of the photographs are of the wreckage of failed bridges and what is left of the vehicles that brought them down. They depict a county highway department that was only reactive until changes began to occur after the Silver Bridge disaster in 1967 over the Ohio River. Federal government instituted inspection of all public bridges at two-year intervals and counties by the mid-1980s had the tools to be proactive toward bridge maintenance. Construction materials also changed over the years, becoming stronger and longer-lasting, adding to life-saving transportation means.
"The biggest challenge I faced was writing in an interesting manner about something that was very technical," he explained. "Jim helped a great deal by writing some of the more technical sections while I added the historical viewpoint and photos."
Boyd mentioned that he was pleased to produce a book that he felt would greatly add to the history of Knox County, especially in a bicentennial year. "Every historical account we can create now will better serve our community in the future," he said. "The most interesting thing I learned throughout this process was how important bridges really were in settling the area, and their continuing importance to the commerce and culture of Knox County."
Knox County Bridges is available at MVNU's Cougar Corner Bookstore, Knox County Visitors' Bureau and Paragraphs Bookstore. Kenyon College's Bookstore may also carry it in the near future. Boyd said there will be a book singing at some point, but the date and location are yet to be determined.
For more information, contact dboyd@mvnu.edu or call (740) 397-9000, ext. 3046.
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