The Chester Bridge
A river crossing helped turn a park in Chester into an outing for East Liverpool. The old bridge carried a connection that linked everyday travel with a day of entertainment.
A journey across the river
Rock Springs Park historian Joseph A. Comm describes the Chester Bridge and the trolley line as parts of the same development: the line ended at the park entrance. The first trolley crossing took place in May 1897, shortly before the park opened. A trip to the rides therefore began on the streets of East Liverpool, rather than at a parking lot beside the park.
A connection remembered
The crossing closed to all traffic in 1969 and was demolished the following year, according to Comm’s account. Its disappearance changed the familiar route between the two communities. The accompanying photograph shows Union Street trolleys associated with park outings; it is a view of the journey’s East Liverpool side, rather than a photograph of the bridge itself.
Story sources
Published story & visitor information ↗
Published story & visitor information ↗
Story reviewed 2026-10-04. Confirm current access directly.