Peak of Ohio online news reported on the 125th Anniversary tour of the first concrete pavement in the United States. ISCP co-sponsored the celebration and tour that was held Monday, April 25, 2016 in downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio, USA. Concrete engineers and technicians from the National Concrete Consortium (NCC) and Historic Pavement Preservation Group (pictured above) came from Columbus, Ohio via bus to witness and be a part of the historic event.
Mark Pardi, Ohio Concrete Pavement Association-American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA), shared that the visit was part of the NCC held the week in Columbus. He spoke of this first concrete pavement in the country and how it helped kickstart the concrete pavement industry in the United States—with many firsts in Ohio, including:
• First cement plant
• First concrete salesman for the country
• The ONLY concrete pavement surface that is 125 years old
To hear Mark Pari’s introduction and welcome to the group, please click here.
Mayor Ben Stahler spoke before the crowd of about 70 people at Court Street. To view the video of Mayor Stahler giving his proclamation at the 125th anniversary celebration, please click here.
Tim Notestine-City Engineer, and his father Robert Notestine-Former Bellefontaine Mayor (pictured left) discussed the significance of the historic street. Former Mayor Notestine shared from the past when he was a councilman. At that time, it was suggested that the city blacktop the concrete street. He told the crowd that he was against it—noting that people from all over the world would come see the first concrete street. So, it has remained in its original concrete form and untouched since 1891!
After the ceremony, the group was invited to walk down the street on a beautiful Monday afternoon and view the Logan County History Center and Transportation Museum.
To read the ISCP February article titled “ISCP Co-Sponsoring Commemoration: 125th Anniversary of the First U.S. Concrete Pavement”, to be Held April 25th”, please to to: https://www.concretepavements.org/2016/02/25/iscp-to-co-sponsor-commemoration-125th-anniversary-of-the-1st-u-s-concrete-pavement-to-be-held-april-25th/.
To view the pre-celebration flyer PDF, please go to: http://www.cptechcenter.org/ncc/Sp2016%20NC2/Bellefontaine%20Event%20Details_011416%20SDT.pdf.
Featured image of “Court Avenue 1891—Oldest Concrete Street in America” courtesy of Trover:
http://www.trover.com/d/lbAr-bellefontaine-ohio.