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Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/2233eaab-6463-43c0-b788-149756332089
Collection
Columbia Bridge Company Collection
Title
Columbia Bridge Company Collection
Object ID
MG0217
Date Range
1809-1843
• www.LancasterHistory.org Search Terms: Advertising Applications Board of Directors Bonds Bridges Broadsides Business records By-laws Checks Columbia Columbia Bridge Company Construction Contracts Correspondence Farmers Bank of Lancaster Financial records Finding aids Gatekeepers Invoices Letters Loans Manuscript groups
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  1 document  
Collection
Columbia Bridge Company Collection
Title
Columbia Bridge Company Collection
Description
The Columbia Bridge Company Collection is a valuable source of information concerning construction of bridges in the early 1800s. Documents concern the building of the first two bridges across the Susquehanna River in 1814 and 1832. Items in the collection include minutes, form for stock certificate, invoices, legal papers, proposals, receipts, stockholders, promissory notes, by-laws, settlement of stage tolls with Samuel Slaymaker 1813, salary receipts, circulars and announcements, bridge tolls, orders for payment, correspondence, and a stock certificate from 1842
Admin/Biographical History
First Bridge
Construction of the first Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge was begun in 1812 and completed December 5, 1814, by J. Wolcott, H. Slaymaker, S. Slaymaker at a total cost of $231,771, which was underwritten by the newly formed Columbia Bank and Bridge Company. The bridge was 5,690 feet (1,730 m) long and 30 feet (9.1 m) wide and had 54 piers and twin carriageways. Constructed of wood and stone, the covered bridge also included a wooden roof, a whitewashed interior and openings in its wooden sides to view the river and surrounding areas. It was considered the longest covered bridge in the world at the time. The bridge accommodated east-west traffic across the Susquehanna River for 14 years before being destroyed by ice, high water and severe weather on February 5, 1832.
Second bridge
Construction of the second Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, also covered, started mid-1832 and was completed in 1834 (opening on July 8, 1834) by James Moore and John Evans at a cost of $157,300. It was 5,620 feet (1,710 m) long and 28 feet (8.5 m) wide and also enjoyed the distinction of being the world's longest covered bridge. The wood and stone structure had 27 piers, a carriageway, walkway, and two towpaths to guide canal traffic across the river. Much of the mostly oak timber used in its construction was salvaged from the previous bridge. Its roof was covered with shingles, its sides with weatherboard, and its interior was whitewashed. The structure was modified in 1840 by the Canal Company at a cost of $40,000 concurrent with the construction of the Wrightsville Dam. Towpaths of different levels and with sidewalls were added to prevent horses from falling into river, as happened several times when the river flooded. The roof of the lower path formed the floor of upper path. In this way, canal boats were towed across the river from the Pennsylvania Canal on the Columbia side to the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal at Wrightsville. Sometime after 1846, a double-track railway was added, linking the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad to the Northern Central Railway. Due to fear of fire caused by locomotives, rail cars were pulled across the bridge by teams of mules or horses.
Information from "Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia%E2%80%93Wrightsville_Bridge. Accessed 3 February 2020.
System of Arrangement
The papers of the First Columbia Bridge built in 1814 are filed in folders #1 to 157. The papers of the Second Columbia Bridge built in 1832 are filed in folders #158 to 181.
Date Range
1809-1843
Year Range From
1809
Year Range To
1843
Date of Accumulation
1809-1843
Creator
Goodell, Robert Hilliard, 1899-1992.
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 05
People
Albright, William
Chew, Benjamin
Coleman, Robert
Dickson, William
Gilpin, Joshua
Gilpin, Thomas
Grimler, Benjamin
Haldeman, C.
Hamilton, William
Harbaugh, Leonard
Hoff, John
Hopkins, James
Hubley, John
Hubley, Joseph
Lloyd, Evan
Mifflin, Joseph
Poulson, Zachariah
Reynolds, John
Rittenhouse, Joseph
Shaffner, Casper
Slaymaker, Henry
Slaymaker, Samuel
Varle, Charles
Wilson, Edward
Wilson, Thomas A.
Witmer, A.
Wright, William
Wolcott, John
Subjects
Bridges
Business records
Columbia (Pa.)
Letters
Minutes (Records)
Stockholders
Stocks
Susquehanna River
Search Terms
Advertising
Applications
Board of Directors
Bonds
Bridges
Broadsides
Business records
By-laws
Checks
Columbia
Columbia Bridge Company
Construction
Contracts
Correspondence
Farmers Bank of Lancaster
Financial records
Finding aids
Gatekeepers
Invoices
Letters
Loans
Manuscript groups
Minutes
Murray Draper and Company
Promissory notes
Receipts
Reports
Salaries
Stockholders
Stocks
Susquehanna River
Taxes
Tollhouses
Tolls
Extent
5 boxes, 190 folders, 3 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0217
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. The original items in Folder 69 may not be used due to their fragile condition. All other original documents may be used by researchers--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit or request at Reference Desk.
Copyright
Collection may be photographed. Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org with questions or for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-217
Classification
MG0217
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Added to database 13 January 2022.
Documents
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Finding Aid

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Archive

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/9abaefb8-593d-4ae9-806e-993139365515
Collection
Mills and Bridges of Lancaster County, The R. Harold Barton Collection
Title
Mills and Bridges of Lancaster County
Object ID
MG0015
Date Range
1637-1916
More detail
  1 document  
Collection
Mills and Bridges of Lancaster County, The R. Harold Barton Collection
Title
Mills and Bridges of Lancaster County
Description
Collection contains the research materials of R. Harold Barton on the mills and bridges of Lancaster County. Included are field notes, working papers, photographer's negatives, and postcards. Indexes are available listing mills by name and location, and bridges by name.
Four notebooks are the finished product of the mills and bridges research of R. Harold Barton. These notebooks are in the library under Barton, R. Harold on the online catalog (LC621.85, B283, v.1-v.4). The notebooks constitute 1 cubic ft. of the collection.
The remaining six boxes are located within the manuscript collection. These boxes house working papers, field notes, worksheets, notebooks, photographs, negatives, additional albums of photographs and other miscellaneous material relating to Lancaster County bridges and mills.
Mr. Barton uses a numerical system to locate bridges and mills by township or by the names of the streams, rivers, runs and creeks. Three indexes have been prepared: one lists the bridges by name, one the location by town or townships, and one the names of the mills.
There are a few notes related to Lancaster County gunsmiths, missionaries, and Indian traders.
System of Arrangement
Collection is arranged by township, number, and index.
Date Range
1637-1916
Creation Date
1637-1916
Year Range From
1637
Year Range To
1916
Date of Accumulation
1637-1916
Creator
Barton, R. Harold
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives South
Storage Wall
Side 01
People
Barton, R. Harold
Subjects
Bridges
Covered bridges
Mills and mill-work
Research
Search Terms
Bridges
Covered bridges
Mills
Research
Manuscript groups
Finding aids
Extent
6 boxes, 2 notebooks, 33 folders, 2.4 cubic ft.
Object Name
Archive
Language
English
Object ID
MG0015
Location of Originals
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Access Conditions / Restrictions
No restrictions.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-15
Classification
MG0015
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
This collection was cataloged prior to 1997; added to database 6 March 2018.
Documents
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Finding Aid

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Report

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/c8c7188f-75ea-411d-8712-819887134134
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0465 I002
Date Range
1816/08
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1816/08
Year
1816
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0007
People
Andrews, Alexander
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Alexander Andrews' Ford
Andrews Ford
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Creeks
Fords
Inspections
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Octoraro Creek
Reports
Place
Lancaster County and Chester County
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0465 I002
Box Number
007
Additional Notes
August 1816.
Location: At Alexander Andrews' Fording.
Document type: Inspection report.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Petition

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/82d1abbf-1e98-4236-ab93-625089151273
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0230 I001
Date Range
1819/08
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1819/08
Year
1819
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0003
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Cocalico Creek
Earl Twp.
Warwick Twp.
Lancaster
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Petitions
Orders
Reports
Bridges
Place
Earl Twp. and Warwick Twp.
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0230 I001
Box Number
003
Additional Notes
Court term: August 1819.
Location: On main road from Lancaster to Reading, Berks County.
Document types: Petition for appointment of viewers.
Order and report of viewers.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Documents

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/c8dfad0a-6479-48dd-8ccd-284125434777
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0190 I003
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Description
Papers filed for construction and repair of bridges. The types of petitions presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions include: petitions for bridge construction and repair, petitions for inspections, and petitions for bridge funds. Other types of items include: specifications, proposals, and contracts for bridge construction and repair; bridge blueprints and plans; correspondence; bills for materials; and bridge condition reports. Many papers show date; court term and case number; names of petitioners, viewers, inspectors, and contractors; costs and fees; location of bridge; and name or number of bridge. The order and report of viewers documents are of particular interest as they usually include a copy of the original petition; the order and names of viewers to inspect the site; the public announcement for the viewers meeting; the report and recommendation of viewers, often with a drawing of the site and surrounding area; and the court decision.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Year
1817
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0003
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Conewago Creek
Conoy Twp.
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Marietta
Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Susquehanna River
Rivers
Orders
Reports
Bridges
Place
Donegal Twp. and Dauphin County
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0190 I003
Box Number
003
Additional Notes
[Donegal Twp.] and Dauphin County
Court term: January 1817.
Location: At mouth of creek, on public road from Marietta to Middletown, Dauphin County at confluence with Susquehanna River.
Document type: Order and report of viewers.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Report

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/7068dd62-7661-41b1-a3cd-447467181890
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report of Commissioners
Object ID
Bridge F0430 I003
Date Range
1812
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report of Commissioners
Description
[Lampeter Twp. and Lancaster Twp.]
Location: Over Conestoga Creek.
Document type: Report of Commissioners who estimated bridge
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1812
Year
1812
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0006
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Lampeter Twp.
Lancaster Twp.
Reports
Witmer's Bridge
Place
Lampeter Twp. and Lancaster Twp.
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0430 I003
Box Number
006
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Petition

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/b968b63d-05b6-4aca-86b8-407436896354
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0135 I004
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Description
Papers filed for construction and repair of bridges. The types of petitions presented to the Court of Quarter Sessions include: petitions for bridge construction and repair, petitions for inspections, and petitions for bridge funds. Other types of items include: specifications, proposals, and contracts for bridge construction and repair; bridge blueprints and plans; correspondence; bills for materials; and bridge condition reports. Many papers show date; court term and case number; names of petitioners, viewers, inspectors, and contractors; costs and fees; location of bridge; and name or number of bridge. The order and report of viewers documents are of particular interest as they usually include a copy of the original petition; the order and names of viewers to inspect the site; the public announcement for the viewers meeting; the report and recommendation of viewers, often with a drawing of the site and surrounding area; and the court decision.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Year
1814
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0002
People
Kochenour, Abraham
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Pequea Creek
Conestoga Twp.
Martic Twp.
Abraham Kochenour's Crossing
Fords
Lancaster
Peach Bottom, Little Britain Twp.
Fulton Twp.
Petitions
Orders
Reports
Bridges
Place
Conestoga Twp. and Martic Twp.
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0135 I004
Box Number
002
Additional Notes
Court term: January 1814.
Location: At Abraham Kochenour's Crossing, on road from Lancaster to Peach Bottom, Little Britain Twp. [now Fulton Twp.].
Document types: Petition for appointment of viewers.
Order and report of viewers.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
Less detail

Order, Work

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/d94bad84-3dcd-467d-9181-114830872178
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0465 I001
Date Range
1816/01
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1816/01
Year
1816
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0007
People
Andrews, Alexander
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Creeks
Inspections
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Octoraro Creek
Orders
Place
Lancaster County and Chester County
Object Name
Order, Work
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0465 I001
Box Number
007
Additional Notes
January 1816.
Location: At Alexander Andrews'.
Document type: Order for inspection.
1 item, 1 piece
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Petition

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/b3a3f067-957c-4214-b5f2-153744925870
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0530 I003
Date Range
1813/11
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1813/11
Year
1813
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0008
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Creeks
Forges
Little Britain Twp.
Octoraro Creek
Orders
Petitions
Reports
Webb's Ironworks Forge
Place
Little Britain Twp. and Chester County
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0530 I003
Box Number
008
Additional Notes
Little Britain Twp. and [Chester County]
Court term: November 1813.
Location: Near Webb's Iron Works in Little Britain Twp.
Document types: Petition for appointment of viewers.
Order and report of viewers.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
Less detail

Report

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/887eefa8-3f65-4510-96c1-775021708155
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0530 I005
Date Range
1816/08
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1816/08
Year
1816
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0008
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Creeks
Forges
Inspections
Little Britain Twp.
Octoraro Creek
Orders
Reports
Webb's Forge
Place
Little Britain Twp. and Chester County
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0530 I005
Box Number
008
Additional Notes
[Little Britain Twp.] and Chester County
Court term: August 1816.
Location: At Webb's Forge.
Document type: Order for inspection and inspection report.
2 items, 2 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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10 records – page 1 of 1.