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The KING IRON BRIDGE & MANUFACTURING CO., the largest highway bridge works in the U.S. during the 1880s, played an important role in the nationwide development and construction of the metal truss bridge, a unique product of American engineering and construction technology. Although the King Iron Bridge & Mfg. Co. was not organized under that name until 1871, the company originated in 1858 when Zenas King began his work as a bridge builder. By 1865 King had established his works on Wason (E. 38th) St., and about 1888, the company moved to a larger plant on Ruskin (E. 69th) St. King's business initially was confined to the manufacture of iron arch and swing bridges, but by 1878 was building all types of truss, combination, and wooden bridges as well as fencing and jail cells. The company enjoyed a national market, erecting bridges in Kansas, New York, Georgia, California, and the Wyoming Territory. James A. King became president of the firm in 1892, and upon Zenas King's death, the company's name was changed to the King Bridge Co. King-built bridges in Cleveland included the CENTRAL VIADUCT (1888); the Center St. Bridge (1900), Cleveland's last remaining swing bridge; and the 591' steel arch of the DETROIT-SUPERIOR BRIDGE (1917). The company was disbanded in the 1920s.
King Iron Bridge & Mfg. Co. Catalogs, 1875 and 1884, Ohio Historical Society Library, Columbus.
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