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A prologue to the construction of the fifth Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo1819
Author
Newcomer, L. W.
Date of Publication
1971.
A Prologue to the Construction of the Fifth Columbia- Wrightsville Bridge by L. W. Newcomer Construction of the fifth Columbia-Wrightsville bridge across the Susquehanna River is described, and recorded for posterity, in the Journal of The Lancaster County Historical Society, Vol. 73, No. 1, 1969
More detail
  1 document  
Responsibility
by L. W. Newcomer.
Author
Newcomer, L. W.
Place of Publication
Lancaster, Pa
Publisher
Lancaster County Historical Society,
Date of Publication
1971.
Physical Description
[119]-124 p. ; 23 cm.
Series
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society ; v. 75, no. 3
Subjects
Bridges - Pennsylvania - Lancaster County.
Bridges
Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge (Lancaster County, Pa.)
Lancaster County (Pa.) - Politics and government.
York County (Pa.) - Politics and government.
Contained In
Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society. Volume 75, number 3 (1971), p. 119-124Lancaster History Library - Journal974.9 L245 v.75
Documents
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Invitation

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/21a45e07-45fd-4438-bcf1-388416436478
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Invitation to bridge dedication
Object ID
Bridge F0100 I001
Date Range
1930
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Invitation to bridge dedication
Description
Location: Over the Susquehanna River.
Document type: Invitation to bridge dedication.
Date Range
1930
Year
1930
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0002
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Columbia
Columbia - Wrightsville Bridge
Invitations
Rivers
Susquehanna River
Wrightsville, York County, Pennsylvania
Place
Columbia, Lancaster County and Wrightsville, York County
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Invitation
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0100 I001
Box Number
002
Additional Notes
The Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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List

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/04957fdd-2748-4205-9760-448158711710
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
List of minor bridge repairs for township supervisors
Object ID
Bridge F0905 I003
Date Range
1919
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
List of minor bridge repairs for township supervisors
Description
Document type: List of minor bridge repairs for township supervisors.
1. Big Conestoga No. 24
[Conestoga Twp. and Manor Twp.]
Location: Over Conestoga Creek at Rock Hill, Conestoga Twp.
2. Chickies No. 6
[East Hempfield Twp. and Rapho Twp.]
Location: Over Chickies Creek at Shenk's Mill.
3. Chickies No. 3
[Penn Twp. and Rapho Twp.]
Location: Over Chickies Creek.
4. Little Chickies No. 2
[Mount Joy Twp. and Rapho Twp.]
Location: Over Little Chickies Creek.
5. Big Chickies No. 13
[East Donegal Twp. and West Hempfield Twp.]
6. Pequea No. 6
[Leacock Twp. and Paradise Twp.]
Location: Over Pequea Creek at Parkes' Nursery.
7. Pequea No. 8
Location: Over Pequea Creek.
8. Mill Creek No. 2.75
[East Lampeter Twp.]
Location: Over Mill Creek, first bridge above Yeates' School.
9. Raccoon Creek Bridge
Little Britain Twp. and [Chester County]
Location: Over Raccoon Creek near Kinseyville, Little Britain Twp.
10. Hammer Creek No. 2
[Ephrata Twp. and Warwick Twp.]
Location: Over Hammer Creek.
11. Cocalico No. 3
[Ephrata Twp.]
Location: Over Cocalico Creek at quarry south of Ephrata.
12. Conestoga No. 1
Caernarvon Twp.
Location: Over Conestoga Creek near Churchtown, Caernarvon Twp.
13. Bridge No. 23
Location: Over [Conestoga Creek] at Slackwater, Conestoga Twp.
14. Conewago No. 2
[Lancaster County and Dauphin County]
Location: Over Conewago Creek.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1919
Year
1919
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Big Chickies Bridge
Big Conestoga Bridge
Bridges
Caernarvon Twp.
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chickies Bridge
Chickies Creek
Chiques Creek
Churchtown, Caernarvon Twp.
Cocalico Bridge
Cocalico Creek
Conestoga Bridge
Conestoga Creek
Conestoga Twp.
Conewago Bridge
Conewago Creek
Creeks
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
East Donegal Twp.
East Hempfield Twp.
East Lampeter Twp.
Ephrata
Ephrata Twp.
Hammer Creek
Hammer Creek Bridge
Kinseyville, Little Britain Twp.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Leacock Twp.
Lists
Little Britain Twp.
Little Chickies Bridge
Little Chiques Bridge
Little Chiques Creek
Little Chickies Creek
Manor Twp.
Mills
Mill Creek
Mill Creek Bridge
Mount Joy Twp.
Nurseries
Paradise Twp.
Parkes' Nursery
Penn Twp.
Pequea Bridge
Pequea Creek
Quarries
Raccoon Creek
Raccoon Creek Bridge
Rapho Twp.
Rock Hill, Conestoga Twp.
Shenk's Mill
Slackwater, Conestoga Twp.
Warwick Twp.
West Hempfield Twp.
Yeates School
Extent
1 item, 2 pieces
Object Name
List
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0905 I003
Box Number
013
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/0151c9a3-9e76-4d72-b76d-978947101055
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Condition of bridge reports
Object ID
Bridge F0845 I004
Date Range
1916
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Condition of bridge reports
Description
Document type: Condition of bridge reports.
1. Bridge No. 7
Pumping Station Bridge
Lancaster County and Chester County
2. Bridge No. 7.5
Harkness Fording Bridge
[Little Britain Twp. and Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County]
3. Bridge No. 8
Kirk's Fording Bridge
[Little Britain Twp. and West Nottingham Twp., Chester County]
4. Bridge No. 9
Blackburn's Fording Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Chester County]
5. Bridge No. 9.5
Greist's Fording Bridge
6. Bridge No. 10
Carter's Fording Bridge
[Little Britain Twp. and West Nottingham Twp.], Chester County
7. Bridge No. 11
Kin[s]eyville Bridge
[Little Britain Twp. and Chester County]
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1916
Year
1916
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Blackburn's Ford
Blackburn's Fording Bridge
Bridges
Carter's Ford
Carter's Fording Bridge
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Greist's Ford
Greist's Fording Bridge
Harkness Ford
Harkness Fording Bridge
Kinseyville Bridge
Kirk's Ford
Kirk's Fording Bridge
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Little Britain Twp.
Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Octoraro Water Company
Pumping Station Bridge
Pumping stations
Reports
West Nottingham Twp., Chester County
Extent
7 items, 7 pieces
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0845 I004
Box Number
013
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
Less detail

Specification

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/b6ddf44a-a762-4209-9ed4-803086405953
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Specifications for bridge repair
Object ID
Bridge F0905 I001
Date Range
1910
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Specifications for bridge repair
Description
Document type: Specifications for bridge repair.
1. White Rock Bridge
Colerain Twp. and Little Britain Twp.
Location: Over West Branch of Octoraro Creek.
2. Spruce Grove Bridge
3. Rays Factory Bridge
Lancaster County and [Chester County]
Location: Over East Branch of Octoraro Creek.
4. Pennels Bridge
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1910
Year
1910
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Factories
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Little Britain Twp.
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Octoraro Creek, West Branch
Pennels Bridge
Rays Factory
Rays Factory Bridge
Specifications
Spruce Grove Bridge
White Rock Covered Bridge
White Rock Forge Covered Bridge
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Specification
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0905 I001
Box Number
013
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/a2027338-22a0-4ee2-a567-367609064700
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report of recommended bridges to be replaced
Object ID
Bridge F0905 I011
Date Range
1921
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report of recommended bridges to be replaced
Description
Document type: Report of recommended bridges to be replaced.
1. Pequea No. 4
[Leacock Twp. and Paradise Twp.]
Location: Over Pequea Creek at Shertz's Mill, near Harristown, Paradise Twp.
2. Conestoga No. 4
[East Earl Twp.]
Location: Over Conestoga Creek at Martin's Mill.
3. Mill Creek No. 2
[East Lampeter Twp.]
Location: Over Mill Creek at east end of Smoketown, East Lampeter Twp., on old Philadelphia Road.
4. Bridge over East Branch of Octoraro Creek
Sadsbury Twp. and Chester County
Location: At Steeleville, Sadsbury Twp.
5. Big Chickies No. 7.5
[Rapho Twp. and West Hempfield Twp.]
Location: Over Chickies Creek at Moore's old Electric LIght Plant, on road between Salunga, West Hempfield Twp. and Newtown, Rapho Twp.
6. Big Chickies No. 8
Location: Over Chickies Creek.
7. Bridge over [Conestoga Creek]
[Conestoga Twp. and Manor Twp.]
Location: At Rock Hill, Conestoga Twp.
8. Engleside Bridge
[Lancaster Twp. and West Lampeter Twp.]
Location: At Engleside, Lancaster Twp., over Conestoga Creek.
9. Mill Creek No. 6, also known as Eshleman's Mill Bridge
[West Lampeter Twp.]
Location: Over Mill Creek.
10. Conestoga No. 14
[Manheim Twp. and Upper Leacock Twp.]
Location: Over Conestoga Creek.
11. Pequea No. 18
[Martic Twp. and Pequea Twp.]
Location: Over Pequea Creek at Burnt Mill, Pequea Twp., near Marticville, Martic Twp.
12. Bridge [over Conestoga Creek]
[Lancaster Twp. and Pequea Twp.]
Location: At Wabank, Lancaster Twp.
13. Old Factory Bridge
[Lancaster City and West Lampeter Twp.]
Location: Over [Conestoga Creek] near Rocky Springs Park.
14. Cocalico No. 3
[Ephrata Twp.]
Location: Over Cocalico Creek, near Ephrata.
15. White Rock Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Little Britain Twp.]
Location: Over West Branch of Octoraro Creek at White Rock, Little Britain Twp.
16. Spruce Grove Bridge
Location: Over West Branch of Octoraro Creek at Spruce Grove, Little Britain Twp.
17. Bridge No. 1
[Manheim Twp.]
Location : Over Little Conestoga Creek near Long's Park.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1921
Year
1921
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Burnt Mill, Pequea Twp.
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chickies Creek
Chiques Creek
Cocalico Creek
Colerain Twp.
Conestoga Creek
Conestoga Twp.
Creeks
East Earl Twp.
East Lampeter Twp.
Electric Companies
Engleside Bridge
Engleside, Lancaster Twp.
Ephrata
Ephrata Twp.
Eshleman's Mill
Eshleman's Mill Bridge
Factories
Harristown, Paradise Twp.
Lancaster
Lancaster Twp.
Leacock Twp.
Little Britain Twp.
Little Conestoga Creek
Long's Park
Manheim Twp.
Manor Twp.
Martic Twp.
Marticville, Martic Twp.
Martin's Mill
Mill Creek
Moore's Electric LIght Plant
Newtown, Rapho Twp.
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Octoraro Creek, West Branch
Old Factory Bridge
Old Philadelphia Road
Paradise Twp.
Parks
Pequea Creek
Pequea Twp.
Rapho Twp.
Reports
Roads
Rock Hill, Conestoga Twp.
Rocky Springs
Sadsbury Twp.
Salunga, West Hempfield Twp.
Shertz's Mill
Smoketown, East Lampeter Twp.
Spruce Grove Bridge
Spruce Grove, Little Britain Twp.
Steeleville, Sadsbury Twp.
Upper Leacock Twp.
Wabank, Lancaster Twp.
West Hempfield Twp.
West Lampeter Twp.
White Rock Covered Bridge
White Rock Forge Covered Bridge
White Rock, Little Britain Twp.
Extent
1 item, 3 pieces
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0905 I011
Box Number
013
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/910a340e-f1d9-4b89-8e59-462625198620
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Condition of bridge reports
Object ID
Bridge F0845 I003
Date Range
1916
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Condition of bridge reports
Description
Document type: Condition of bridge reports.
1. Bridge No. 1
Steeleville Bridge
[Sadsbury Twp. and West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County]
2. Bridge No. 1.5
Ross' Fording Bridge
3. Bridge No. 2
Andrew's Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County]
4. Bridge No. 2.5
Newcomer's Bridge
5. Bridge No. 3
Bell's Fording Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Chester County]
6. Bridge No. 4
Holmes' Fording Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Lower Oxford Twp.], Chester County
7. Bridge No. 5
Worth Fording Bridge
8. Bridge No. 6
Bunting Ford Bridge
Admin/Biographical History
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.
Date Range
1916
Year
1916
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Andrews Bridge
Andrews Bridge, Colerain Twp.
Bell's Ford
Bell's Fording Bridge
Bridges
Bunting's Ford
Bunting's Ford Bridge
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Holmes' Ford
Holmes' Fording Bridge
Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Newcomer's Bridge
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Reports
Ross Fording Bridge
Ross Ford
Sadsbury Twp.
Steeleville Bridge
Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Worth's Bridge
Worth's Ford
Worth's Fording Bridge
Extent
8 items, 8 pieces
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0845 I003
Box Number
013
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
Less detail

Specification

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/57e98058-5f7d-463d-bdb8-732186923160
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Specifications for repairs to bridges in Repair Zone I
Object ID
Bridge F0925 I004
Date Range
1921
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Specifications for repairs to bridges in Repair Zone I
Admin/Biographical History
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.
Date Range
1921
Year
1921
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Andrews Bridge
Andrews Bridge, Colerain Twp.
Bell Bank Covered Bridge
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Christiana
Christiana Bridge
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Fords
Holmes' Bridge
Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Ross Ford
Sadsbury Twp.
Specifications
Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Object Name
Specification
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0925 I004
Box Number
013
Additional Notes
Bridges over [East] Branch of Octoraro Creek
Document type: Specifications for repairs to bridges in Repair Zone I.
1. Christiana Bridge
Christiana and [Chester County]
Location: On eastern line of Christiana.
2. Ross' Fording
[Sadsbury Twp. and West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County]
3. Andrew's Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County]
4. Bell Bank Bridge
Colerain Twp. and [Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County]
5. Holmes' Bridge
[Colerain Twp. and Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County]
2 items, 8 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/c869151d-4115-4868-a77c-454542031612
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Condition of bridge reports
Object ID
Bridge F0845 I002
Date Range
1915
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Condition of bridge reports
Admin/Biographical History
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.
Date Range
1915
Year
1915
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Andrews Bridge
Andrews Bridge, Colerain Twp.
Bell's Ford
Bridges
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Christiana, Pennsylvania
Christiana Bridge
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Fords
Long's Ford
Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County, Pennsylvania
Mercer's Ford
Mercer's Fording Bridge
Newcomer's Bridge
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Reports
Ross Ford
Sadsbury Twp.
Steeleville Bridge
Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County
West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0845 I002
Box Number
013
Additional Notes
Document type: Condition of bridge reports.
1. Bridge No. 4
[Colerain Twp. and Lower Oxford Twp., Chester County]
Location: At Long's Fording.
2. Bridge No. 3
[Colerain Twp. and Chester County]
Location: At Bell's Fording.
3. Bridge No. 2.5
Newcomer's Bridge.
[Colerain Twp. and Upper Oxford Twp., Chester County]
4. Bridge No. 2
Andrews Bridge.
5. Bridge No. 1.5
[Sadsbury Twp. and West Fallowfield Twp., Chester County]
Location: At Ross Fording.
6. Bridge No. 1
Steeleville Bridge
7. Bridge No. 00
Mercer's Fording Bridge
8. Bridge No. 0
Christiana Bridge
Christiana and [Chester County]
8 items, 8 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
Less detail

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
Slaymaker, Samuel Varle, Charles Wilson, Edward Wilson, Thomas A. Witmer, A. Wright, William Wolcott, John Subject Headings: Bridges Business records Columbia (Pa.) Letters Minutes (Records) Stockholders Stocks Susquehanna River �230 North President Avenue • Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633
More detail
  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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