Adelphi-Colerain Township History

The Adelphi, Colerain Township,
Sesquicentenntial Celebration
October 1, 2 and 3, 1954.
Memorializing Its Founders of 1804

Adelphi's Old Covered Bridge

On August 11, 1855, specifications were written up for a bridge to be built to across
Salt Creek . The project was given to John Karshner and his partner, Samuel Hanniger.
Construction of the bridge was started in the fall of 1855. The stone for the abutments were
quarried near Laurelville. After the construction had begun, the work went along very well
until one day in November. It seems that on November 20th , they were preparing to raising
of the bridge. John Karshner was working below the bridge and John Cherry stepped in to
replace him . When the bridge was being raised, the timbers fell , some striking John Cherry
and fatally injuring him. Early in the winter of 1855 the bridge was completed.
With the coming of the automobile and its accompanying hazards , the old bridge
became a danger spot. On rainy days it was common sight to see one or two wagons, or other
horse drawn vehicles parked in the bridge. It was decided that the bridge should have some of its
side boards cut down, and exposing the lattice work, and admitting more light.
Although for many the old bridge held pleasant memories, there were others who disliked it.
Several attempts were made to destroy the bridge. After enduring all of this, it was still in perfect
condition when it was replace by a structure. The old wooden bridge in its picturesque setting
was an ideal subject for both amateur and professional photographers who treasure in their collections
photos of the old Adelphi Bridge.
When it was learned that the bridge was to be taken away, local citizens desiring to save
the old bridge got up a petition with the hope that they could preserve it. It had been originally
planned to build a roadside rest in that general area and the famous old bridge with its nostalgic
memories was desired as a shelter house for the park. Despite all efforts by the people of Adelphi,
the beautiful old covered bridge across Salt Creek was burned on June 16, 1954. Peace to its
ashes and those of its builders.
And so closes another chapter of living men who took inanimate things by their
patience, craftsmanship and love for natural beauty, created something near and dear to their
children. Time marches on in its endless cycle, while progress, remorseless and uncomprehending,
destroy the heritage of the past. Alas, why should these things be?

The bridge was one hundred and sixteen feet long and 16 feet wide. The
timber to be White or Burr oak, clear of knot or crack or wind shaken. The pins to be of Burr
oak two inches thick.

By Mrs. Donna Karshner.

The K & A Railroad

It was early in October, 1882 when the good people of Adelphi were rejoicing over
the prospects of being a railroad town. It was October when the equipment arrived to start
the construction on the new railroad. It was the desire of the promoters and builders to connect
the coal field of the Hocking Valley and with the present north and south lines of the Norfolk and
Western at Kingston.
The following appeared in the Adelphi Border News issue of December 8, 1882,edited bu
D. F. Shriner.

The Cincinnati, Hocking Valley and Huntington Railroad

" Work has begun again on this road and from present appearances, it will be
completed at an early day. The part of the road from Kingston to Floodwood, is under
the management of Messrs. John Karshner & Co. who have already contracted or sublet
the construction to a man by the name of Jeremiah Arn, a man who has considerable
experience as a railroad builder. He has already put a large gang of graders to work between
here and Kingston. We have never for a moment that the road would ultimately be built, though
we felt unable, until now , to determine just how soon. It was and is our conviction , that as
soon as it was gotten out of the hands of Niles and placed in those of such practical business
men as John Karshner , that it would not be long until it was finished."
"We shall keep our readers posted on the progress of the work, from time to time, as
it shall be of interest."

Late in 1855 the railroad was completed from Kingston to Adelphi under the
direction of Mr. John Karshner, the builder. Robert Swinehart, Adelphi attorney, and son-in-law
of John Karshner, handled the legal affairs of the railroad. It has been said that the grade for the
railroad was partially completed down Salt Creek Valley to a point beyond South Bloomingville ,
but the tract never got beyond Adelphi or the north end of Mineral Springs grounds near the
old mineral springs.
It was a single tract line with no turnable, hence the engine went forward to Kingston
and backed to Adelphi. The train made two trips daily from Adelphi to Kingston, making a stop
at Hallsville each time it went back and forth. Once each month the engine "Old Susan" as she
was called made a trip to Chilicothe railroad shop, over the Norfolk & Western tract, for a boiler
inspection and general checkup.
The railroad station for Adelphi was located one-forth mile north of the village overlooking
the Salt Creek Valley to the north and above the old covered bridge. Near the station D. H.Strouse
had a general store and lumber, post , tanbark and whooppole yard, where he bought and shipped
his purchases.

Note: A Whooppole is a yard where poles were split to make hoops for barrels and
casks, as this was the methods used for shipping purchases.

Adelphi School in 1925. Superintendent, Mr. W. H. Barton; Principal, Mrs. W. H. Barton.
The graduates that year were all boys: Ray Kitchen, Floyd Stewart, Maynard Tomlison, and Edward Weston.

The Adelphi's Schools

The earliest schools were private schools. James A. Webster taught the first
school in Adelphi. A log house, which had been built for a private home, was used at a very
early date as a church and school near Hallsville. The first school house in this territory was
built between two little streams east of Hallsville in 1827. This was succeeded by a frame
school house between Hallsville and the first stream east and on the south side of the road.
This, in turn, was succeeded by the present school house in Hallsville.

The first school house in Adelphi was built in the south end of town on what would
later become the Lutheran church lot and graveyard on Concord Street.
In 1844 or 1845 a brick school was built on the corner of North and Main Streets
(at the back of the lot on which the town hall was subsequently built) , and it was the only
one of its kind built for many years. It contain one room and cost about three hundred dollars.
Thomas Armstrong was the first teacher.
In 1870 the growth of the town made a new building necessary .It was located on Market
Street , west of Concord. The new building was built of brick with stone trimmings and cost
nine thousand, seven hundred and twenty dollars, and fifty-eight cents. The building was
two stories high and contained two school rooms, cloak rooms, halls, etc. on each floor. School
was begun in this building , November 1870, with Alanson Newman as the principal,. Mr. I. M..
Stewart followed , continuing three years . He was then succeeded by Isaac Jordon.
In the township at large there were eight school houses: Bull Creek, Abernathy, Rock Hill,
Oak Lane, Walnut Valley, Dresbach, Hallsville (2 rooms) and Brimestone. Bricks from the old
Abernathy and school and the Oak Lane school were used in the construction of the music room
in the present Centralia school.
Early teachers were Ida Belle Walton, Maggie Cosgrove, Lucie Holderman and Minnie Roult.

by Mrs. Donna Karshner and Mrs. Don Patterson

Pictures were donated by Rodney Buskirk

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