Big Four Bridge in Winter (Sidney)

The Big Four concrete arch bridge located in Sidney Ohio, is one of the largest landmarks in the area. Simply known as the Big Four Bridge - so named after the four large railroads that ran the line (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis Railway's). Constructed in the 1920's it is still in use to this day. The railway is currently owned and operated by CSX Transportation.

While I played sandlot football at the base of the bridge, I never ventured upon it as a youth. My cousin and others have over the years, some of them leaving their mark with graffiti in the arches beneath the tracks.

This picture was taken just outside another landmark of sorts. I was standing at the top of the hill on Childrens Home Road at the foot of the steps of the old orphanage. The orphanage was still in operation when I was a very young lad. Now it stands deserted and abandoned.

I remember the area well because my dad would bring me here every year to watch the soapbox derby. The derby used the road that went up the hill next to the orphanage. Staring down the hill I couldn't help but imagine the cheering crowds lining the road and those Oh-So-Marvelous derby cars racing down the hill.

(still) First Alliance, Toledo

This is a historic inner-city church in Toledo, and at first glance, it appears to be a lovely old tabernacle with a Sunday school wing built on ...

Ahhhh, maybe not so much ...
Looks like there's maybe a bit too much skylight there ...

Way too much.

This church has housed the same congregation and denomination since its inception in 1887, before and since the building of this house of worship in 1923. On June 25th, 2009, something caused it to get a bit too warm in the sanctuary even by summer standards:

Man, that's ugly. Scary. Thank God there was no one in the place at the time.

I think that staircase might actually still be stable. It looks like there's some new framing at the edge of what used to be the balcony. And while most of the remaining old windows have crumbled, this one still glows with the sunlight ...

The congregation is using their fellowship hall, located across the street, for their services. They're determined to stay where they're at and make it good. These people are unstoppable. Hallelujah.