1936: (Historic Bridges; Satellite)
1819 National Pike Bridge
In 1926, this bridge would have been US-40 as well as the National Road because that is when US highway numbers were assigned.
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| Bob Dover posted Wilson Bridge is one of only two original National Road bridges remaining in Maryland. Because it is on the Baltimore-to-Cumberland segment, the bridge was more accurately located on the National Pike and not the official National Road. It was constructed in 1819, a few miles west of Hagerstown. It ceased to be used as part of the main highway in 1937 when US Route 40 was realigned onto a new bridge about 200 feet downstream. The original bridge continued to carry local traffic until 1972 when it was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Agnes. The bridge sat damaged for several years, but was eventually restored and became the centerpiece of a small county park with parking spaces, picnic tables, and historical markers. While it is pleasurable to walk over Wilson’s Bridge, it is recommended that you also walk over the Route 40 bridge, as it is a little higher in elevation and provides a good vantage point from which to view the older bridge. I have posted several photos of the Wilson bridge, as well as the Casselman bridge, onto www.bridgespotting.com. There is also a detailed description of a tour of all of the National Road bridges, including Wilson and Casselman, in Chapter 9 of my book, Bridgespotting: A Guide to Bridges that Connect People, Places, and Times. |
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| Street View, Oct 2019 |
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| Advanced Aerial Imaging Concepts, Nov 2024 |
The 210' (64m) long bridge has five spans. It was rehabilitated for non-vehicular use in 1984 after Hurricane Agnes damaged it in 1972. [HistoricBridges_1819]
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| 2010 photo by Jodi Chritman via BridgeHunter |
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| MarylandMemories "Wilson’s Bridge was the first of the stone bridges built in Washington County. Its purpose was to carry the state-chartered, privately funded ‘Bank Road’ over Conococheague Creek to join the National Road at Cumberland, providing a pivotal link between the eastern seaport cities and western markets and suppliers. Silas Harry contracted with the county to build this 210-foot. five-arch span at a cost of $12,000. It was considered a “modern marvel” upon completion. Its design and very fine workmanship served as a model for the 30 more bridges that quickly followed. Today, it is a popular fishing and picnic spot, with easy accessibility, convenient parking and a boat ramp." |
1936 US-40 Bridge
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| Postcard via BridgeHunter |
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| HistoricBridges_1936 This 370' (113m) long bridge has a main span of 102' (31m). |
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