Bridges

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This week I will highlight some of the non-covered bridges on the Conestoga River. I featured the covered bridges in an earlier post. I’m not going to attempt to document all of the bridges that cross the river but just a few that show a variety of different styles of architecture. The bridges are listed in order as the river flows.

The Mill Road bridge is located in East Earl township just north of Goodville. The river is not much more than a stream at this point.
The Iron Bridge Road Bridge (1898)

The following text is taken from a plaque near this bridge:

The Iron Bridge Road Bridge is one of the oldest remaining pin-connected Pratt truss highway bridges in Lancaster County. It was built for the total cost of $1,767.00. Farmers heavily crossed the bridge which originally was built with a plank flooring that was repaired in 1926. The pin-connected truss system was popular for use with local roads in Pennsylvania from the 1880s – 1910.

This bridge is soon to be replaced.
Linden Road Bridge and Dam
This span was built in 1922 to replace an earlier wooden bridge. This is known as Bridge #4-1/2.
A low bridge over the Conestoga on Gristmill Road.
Kurtz’s Road Bridge
The new bridge that replaced the Kurtz’s Mill Covered Bridge.
This footbridge crosses the Conestoga along Cabin Road.
North Farmersville Road Bridge – Under Construction
Big Conestoga Creek Bridge #12 at the Brownstown Mill on West Farmersville Road.
In the distance is a bridge carrying a private lane across the river near Talmage.
The steel bridge and dam at the Lancaster Water Plant.
The Conestoga Creek Viaduct. This two-track, stone arch bridge carries the Amtrak Keystone Service over the Conestoga. The bridge was built in 1887-88 and has five spans. The bridge was originally intended to be 4 tracks wide but only half the width was constructed.
The bridge at the entrance to Lancaster County Park is the location of Reigart’s Landing, the head of the Conestoga Navigation System.
Old Railroad Bridge at Engleside
The Rock Hill iron bridge crossing the Conestoga River. Built 1923.
Two railroad bridges at Safe Harbor. The lower one is the “Port Road” bridge formerly part of the Columbia and Port Deposit railroad. The upper bridge is the “Safe Harbor Trestle” formerly the Enola Low Grade line. 

5 comments on “Bridges”

  1. Phyllis Wimer

    July 31, 2018 at 6:52 am

    I enjoyed your collection of bridges, Don. Very educational and great photos showing important features unique to each bridge. I think one of the best things about photography is that it teaches us to take a closer look at the world around us.

    • admin

      July 31, 2018 at 7:28 am

      Thank you Phyllis! You’re right. We usually just drive across bridges without looking at them. But if I stop and look at them more closely I can discover their character.

  2. Frank

    August 2, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    It’s good these bridges are being photographed before they are replaced.

  3. Gloria Goldy

    August 3, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Really enjoyed your pictures. Thank you for posting them!
    (Did your Dad work as a court clerk in his later years in Lancaster County? )

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