On Art, Technology and Economics
The Arcade opened in Newark, Ohio in 1909. Modeled after innovative European buildings, it became one of Newark, Ohio’s first successful retail emporiums. Later versions became known as shopping malls. At 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2), the Arcade is one-third the size of an average Wal-Mart. The original architecture provides a beautiful setting that attracts shoppers to its businesses.
Constructed in 1873, the Bigelow Bridge spans approximately 100 feet across Little Darby Creek. Reuben Partridge built the superstructure at a cost of $12.50 per linear foot ($1,500). Bercupile & Snell built the masonry foundation at a cost of $7.00 per perch (a perch is approximately 25 cubic feet). Partridge built bridges throughout Union County and the surrounding area from 1866 until his death in 1900. The covered bridge is named for Eliphas Bigelow, an early resident of Union County, who built the nearby Bigelow House on the south side of Post Road (SR 161) in 1846. Union County Engineer employees rehabilitated the bridge from 1989 to 1991 by installing a new support system. The Partridge trusses currently carry only the weight of the original bridge. The rehabilitation project received the 1992 Engineered Timber Bridge Award from the National Forest Products Association.
As you read this marker, you are looking south across the Darby Plains. The plains are noted for their level surface and deep, rich soils. The area used to consist largely of prairie with scattered groves of oak, hickory and plum trees. Native wildflowers and tall grasses, some reaching enormous heights, grew in abundance. In the early 1800s, members of the New Light Christian Church moved from New England to start a colony on the Darby Plains. Settlers raised livestock here since the prairie was excellent for grazing. Because the prairie became very wet at certain times of the year, in the mid-1800s farmers began ditching, tiling and draining the prairie. With the help of artificial drainage, the plains became excellent for growing grain. Some of the best agricultural land in Ohio is found in the Darby Plains.
We do not err because truth is difficult to see. It is visible at a glance. We err because this is more comfortable.”
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Look at the image. Describe what you see.
Did you see the shopping cart in the lower right? Don’t feel bad if you didn’t. Lots of people don’t.
I lived for a lot of years in Newark, Ohio. It’s a midsize town about 40 miles east of Columbus. Lots of history, lots of interesting things to photograph. Famed photographer Clarence White did some of his more important work while living in Newark.
Anyway, Newark was on the Ohio Canal, and throughout the city there are various wall-size murals depicting some aspect of Newark. One of these — on Canal Street where the canal actually ran– shows a winter scene with folks skating on the frozen canal.