"The Gateway to the West"
The Historic Kirkwood Neighborhood -- just off historic National Rd. in Bridgeport is the neighborhood of Kirkwood, where the Bridgeport roots were planted.
It was Joseph Kirkwood (1784-1856) who established a settlement on the west side of the Ohio River. He was returning to the land his father, Capt. Robert Kirkwood, had received in 1789 following distinguished service in the Revolutionary War. After battling Indians that attacked his cabin, Capt.Kirkwood took his family back to Delaware and later fell in battle at the defeat of Gen. Arthur St. Clair at Fort Recovery. The Kirkwood House is on the National Register and it is hoped the entire community will be placed on the list. Located along the National Road and State Route 7, both scenic byways and both applauded by the travel and tourism industry as "must-see". |