Industrial History: Bridges over Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, PA

Monday, March 25, 2024

Bridges over Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, PA

1929,1988 Veterans Memorial: (Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

Abandoned Piers: (Satellite)

1972 Wrights Ferry: (Satellite)

HAER PA,36-COL,1--14 (CT)
3/4 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST. - Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, Spanning Susquehanna River at Lincoln Highway (State Route 462), Columbia, Lancaster County, PA

Significance: When it was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1930, the ColumbiaWrightsville Bridge was the longest multiple-arch concrete bridge in the world. Twenty-eight three-ribbed open-spandrel reinforced concrete arches, each spanning 185'-0", carry the bridge across the Susquehanna between Lancaster and York counties. Another twenty spans make up the bridge's 6657'-0" total length. The span's construction was innovative because it involved the cooperative effort oftwo counties. Four bridges preceded this span at this historically important river crossing. The ColumbiaWrightsville Bridge was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1984, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Historian: Blythe Semmer, August 1997.
[HAER_data, p2]

"The Columbia- Wrightsville Bridge is nothing less than one of the most historically significant concrete bridges in the United States. The bridge was the longest multi-span concrete arch bridge in the world when built, and even today it at the very least remains among the longest examples. In addition to its jaw-dropping 28 arch spans each spanning an impressive 185 feet, an additional 20 approach spans (mostly curved t-beams) complete the bridge which is over a mile long in total length. Also, with a 48 foot wide out-to-out deck width containing a 38 foot roadway, this is also a fairly wide bridge for its age as well. The length of the bridge coupled with its width results in a bridge with a footprint of about eight acres!" [HistoricBridges] This is one of the few bridges that Nathan Holth ranks 10/10 for both National and Local significance.

Metrotrails posted two images with the comment:

Metrotrails Then and Now Series: Historic postcard image of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge of the Pennsylvania Railroad, compared to the same scene on our 2022 hike.
The first bridge to cross here was a covered bridge completed in 1817, just downstream from the current bridge. The 5,690 ft bridge amazingly had 54 piers. This was destroyed by high water and ice in 1832.
The second bridge was completed in 1834 just upstream from the current one, and utilized only 27 piers. It was fitted with 2 towpaths for mule traffic towing canal boats, to accommodate traffic between the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal on the west side and Pennsylvania Canal on the east.
After 1856, it also became a railroad bridge. Because of the fear of fire, trains were towed across the bridge by horses rather than locomotive.
The second bridge was burned by Union forces during the Civil War to thwart Confederate advances, and the bridge company was never reimbursed for damages. All interests in the bridge were sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1864.
The third bridge was also a covered structure, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1868. It carried the railroad, carriageway, and walkways. This bridge was destroyed in 1896 as a result of the Cedar Keys Hurricane.
This, the 4th bridge to cross the river at this site, also on the same piers, was completed in 1897. It was of steel construction, and also carried railroad, carriages, walkways, and eventually automobiles. It was also planned to have a second level that was never completed.
The opening of the Lincoln Highway in 1925 caused major traffic issues, and so the current bridge (Veterans Memorial Bridge after 1980), was opened in 1930. It too has a great pedestrian walkways.
The steel bridge carried passenger trains until 1954, and freight until 1958. The bridge was dismantled in 1963 and 64.
The current bridge carried US Rt 30 until the opening of the Wright's Ferry Bridge just upstream in 1972.

Michael J Salem: The second bridge was burned by Pennsylvania militia--not U.S. forces--in June of 1863, just before the Battle of Gettysburg. Lt Gen Richard Ewell (CSA 2nd Corps) had advanced opposite Harrisburg on the West Shore, preparatory to a planned crossing of the river and attack on the city. Ewell ordered Maj Gen Jubal Early (CSA) to proceed to Wrightsville and burn the second bridge. As Early moved through the countryside, he noted the lack of defensive forces, and without informing Ewell, determined to cross the second bridge--rather than burn it--and advance on Lancaster. Early intended to forage in the countryside and exact a tribute of money and materiel from Lancaster, as Ewell had just done at York and Gettysburg. Before Early could cross the bridge, the Pa. militia burned the bridge, thus preventing Early's planned depredations on the East Shore and of Lancaster. This action saved the East Shore farmers and communities from rebel plundering and deprived Early's division of sorely needed food, clothing, and gunpowder. Both Ewell and Early were then recalled to Gettysburg when Lt Gen A.P. Hill (CSA 3rd Corps) encountered United States cavalry under Maj Gen John Buford (USA Cavalry Corps, 1st Div.) on July 1. The great battle then ensured.

M'ke Helbing shared

Sue E. Maxwell commented on the above post
My ancestors owned the lumber yard that provided the lumber for the bridge that was burned.
From our "collection" of family history photos.
Ken R Max: The Beidler Lumber mill was at the base of the bridge and also destroyed when the bridge was burned to stop Colonel John B. Gordon from advancing towards Philly whom was sent to the bridge by General Lee. Thus causing the battle at Gettysburg. Most don't realize how significant the burning of the bridge was. The bridge company and Beidler were never compensated for the losses. Beidler is Sue E. Maxwell direct ancestors and where her great gandfather was born.

The other side had the towpath.

Dedication, p30 via BridgeHunter

The 1897 steel truss and the 1929 concrete arch bridges coexisted until 1963-64.

Dedication, p28 via BridgeHunter

Bridges Now and Then posted
"The Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge, officially called the Veterans Memorial Bridge, spans the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, and carries Pennsylvania Route 462. Built originally as the Lancaster-York Intercounty Bridge, construction began in 1929, and the bridge opened on September 30, 1930. On November 11, 1980, it was officially dedicated as Veterans Memorial Bridge, though it is still referenced locally as the Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge." (Uncharted Lancaster)

Cedar Keys Hurricane vs. a covered wood bridge.