Conowingo Bridge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Several incarnations of the Conowingo Bridge crossed the Susquehanna River at the original location of Conowingo, Maryland, USA, about two miles upstream of the Conowingo Dam, which replaced it.

[edit] History

The Conowingo Bridge was built in 1820^[1]. Another source lists 1844^[2]. A wooden covered Conowingo Bridge opened in 1859^[3][4].

This bridge was an important link between Maryland and northern states in the 19th century. During the American Civil War it was guarded on its southern approach and some of the bridge decking removed to prevent surreptitious crossing^[5].

In 1907 the bridge burned, but was rebuilt^[6] as a steel structure in 1909^[2]. In 1911 the state of Maryland bought the bridge and ended the tolls^[4].

With the completion of the dam in 1928 both the town and the crossing were relocated due to the rising waters impounded by the dam. The road crossing moved to the top of the dam. The bridge was then destroyed by dynamite^[3].

[edit] External links

• Old Conowingo Covered Bridge circa 1880
• Photo of the bridge, Maryland Historical Society
• Photo of the bridge, Burndy Library
• More of the 1900 Topographical Map showing the Conowingo Bridge

[edit] References

1. ^ Rogers, Judy. Harford Historical Bulletin Subject Index, Volumes 1-102. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.
2. ^ ^{a b} History Matters! Interpretive Plan for the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (PDF) 162. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.
3. ^ ^{a b} History Matters! Interpretive Plan for the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway (PDF) 113. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.
4. ^ ^{a b} Port Deposit: History - Year by Year. Retrieved on July 21, 2006.
5. ^ Conowingo Bridge. Historical Society of Cecil County. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.
6. ^ Harford County Chronology of Events 1900 to the Present. The HISTORICAL SOCIETY of HARFORD COUNTY, Inc.. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.