Note: I first shared this story with our friends over on The Virtual Pen’s Patreon page, where each week begins with a little something special—plus bonus content for our supporters. Now, a week later, I’m excited to bring it here so we can enjoy the journey together.
When I first heard the phrase, “Go to the middle of the bridge and turn left,” I assumed it was a joke. It sounded like something out of a riddle book, or perhaps a cryptic note left in a treasure hunt (that sounds like a fun thing to write about someday). But in Zanesville, Ohio, that sentence is just good, honest directions. Zanesville’s iconic Y-Bridge is real. It is drivable. And yes, you can go to the middle and turn left. That’s what Linda and I did when returning home from a trip to Pennsylvania. We entered the bridge from the east and when we got to the middle of it, we turned left to take us southwest, towards home.
The Y-Bridge is situated where the Licking and Muskingum Rivers meet and defies conventional logic and construction norms. There is no other bridge quite like it in the United States. And while a few pedestrian Y-bridges can be found in other countries or towns—like Galena, Missouri’s decommissioned Y-bridge—Zanesville’s is the only vehicular Y-bridge of its kind still in active use.
But beyond its eccentric shape, this bridge carries a rich history, whispers of ghost stories, and a vital connection to the people of Zanesville.
Zanesville's Iconic Y-Bridge Was Built (and Rebuilt) on Determination
The Y-Bridge’s story begins in 1814, when the first version was constructed out of wood. It wasn’t long before nature had its say—floodwaters destroyed it just four years later. Over the next 170 years, the bridge would be rebuilt multiple times, evolving from wooden trestles to concrete spans and eventually into the steel-reinforced modern version that opened in 1984.
Each generation of the bridge mirrored the growth and ambition of the town itself. In 1832, a covered version of the bridge was constructed by Catherinus Buckingham. During its construction, a tragic collapse killed his father, Ebenezer Buckingham. The fourth iteration in 1902 was an uncovered, concrete bridge that stood the test of time until concerns about safety prompted the fifth and current version.
This modern incarnation blends function with sentiment. Its concrete rails may limit the scenic view, but they echo the character of earlier designs—an intentional nod to the bridge’s deep roots in local heritage.
A Community Divided, Then Connected
Zanesville’s layout once made community cohesion difficult. The rivers separated East Zanesville, West Zanesville, and the Putnam Historic District. Early versions of the bridge charged a toll, but by 1868 it became toll-free, opening daily travel and commerce to a wider population.
Today, the bridge serves U.S. Route 40, making it both a historic structure and a functioning piece of modern infrastructure. It’s more than a curiosity—it’s a workhorse, enabling thousands of daily crossings and sustaining Zanesville’s economic arteries.
The Ghost Who Rides at Dusk
As with many old and well-traveled things, the Y-Bridge comes with its share of ghost stories. Perhaps the most enduring is that of Dr. Isaac Fowler.
Legend has it that in the early 1800s, Dr. Fowler’s horse and carriage veered off the bridge during a foggy night, plunging into the river below. Ever since, locals claim to hear the eerie sound of phantom hooves on rainy evenings. Rattling windows and spectral knocks on doors near the bridge are attributed to his restless spirit. The Spirit of Dr. Isaac Fowler Floats Across Y-Bridge In Ohio
Fact or folklore? Who knows? At any rate, these stories are part of Zanesville’s cultural DNA. They’re recited during fall ghost tours and whispered by schoolchildren daring one another to walk the bridge at night.
The Most Recognizable City in America?
Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart once described Zanesville as “the most recognizable city in the country” thanks to the Y-Bridge. It’s also featured in countless regional travel guides and has been a muse for local artists and photographers for generations. From Putnam Hill Park, just south of the bridge, visitors can capture one of the best views of this architectural anomaly.
A Walk Through the Haunted Heart of Zanesville
Each October, the Zane Trace Players host the Downtown Zanesville Ghost Tours, and no such tour would be complete without a stop at or near the Y-Bridge. Starting at Secrest Auditorium, the tour leads visitors through some of the city’s oldest buildings and streets, highlighting tales of mystery, unexplained noises, and glimpses into the past.
Stops likely include:
The Y-Bridge itself, where Dr. Fowler’s legend looms
Downtown historic buildings with documented hauntings
The Putnam Historic District, once a station on the Underground Railroad
These tours don’t just feed your curiosity—they immerse you in the living (and possibly undead) memory of the city.
Why We Still Care About Quirky Old Zanesville's Iconic Y-Bridge
In a world obsessed with innovation and the new, the Y-Bridge reminds us that history, place, and oddity matter. This is not just a bridge—it’s a symbol. Of stubbornness. Of ingenuity. Of community.
It is a feat of engineering, yes, but also a feat of identity. Ask any Zanesville local and they’ll tell you: there’s something comforting about knowing that in the middle of your town, a bridge splits three ways, and that one of those directions is left.
When Linda and I crossed this bridge, we didn’t take the opportunity to stop and observe it. This is a fact that we need to change in the future. In that fork in the road—literally—you find the soul of Zanesville, if you take the time to look. And maybe, if we linger long enough on a misty evening, we’ll hear the faint clatter of hooves echoing through time.
If You Go:
Best View: Head to Putnam Hill Park for a scenic overlook.
Ghost Tours: Offered by Zane Trace Players during weekends in October.
Haunted Highlights: Dr. Fowler’s tale, the bridge’s haunted past, and historic downtown.
Remember – Turn left at the middle of the bridge. Apparently, it’s the thing to do.
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