Stone bridge history told

Mark A. Smith submitted the following historical information after reading a recent letter to the editor in the Comet about the stone bridge on Bicycle Bridge Road:

"The letter concerning the condition of the bridge on Bicycle Bridge Road near Pizza Hut prompts this note concerning the builder of that structure.

The builder of the three bridges of that same construction was John C. O'Connor, who was born in Watertown, New York, and came to Delphi when a young man and assisted in building a number of the railroads, including the Monon, which ran through Delphi. He was granted the contract to construct many of the concrete works on the Interurban, including the retaining wall near the present Delphi Body Works.

John was a virulent Democrat, ever active in the party of his choice, and resided in the large brick home near the former Delphi Greenhouse in the east end of Delphi.

His name and date are inscribed on the keystone of the arch of the Washington Street bridge near Canal Park, and are visible during a canal boat trip.

John passed away on Nov. 3, 1931, and his funeral was held in St. Joseph's Church. Burial was in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Mr. O'Connor was yet one more facet of the local transportation scene, including James Peirce and Craven Smith, engineer of the Tioga Bridge."