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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
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
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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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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
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  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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Certificate

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/5f672c40-8719-4168-a914-508913329115
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Certificate of record to commissioners for appropriation of funds
Object ID
Bridge F0045 I007
Date Range
1836/04
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Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Certificate of record to commissioners for appropriation of funds
Description
Court term: April 1836.
Location: At Hinkletown, Earl Twp., on the Downingtown, Ephrata, and Harrisburg Turnpike.
Document type: Certificate of record to commissioners for appropriation of funds for new bridge
Date Range
1836/04
Year
1836
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Certificates
Cocalico Twp.
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Downingtown, Ephrata, and Harrisburg Turnpike
Earl Twp.
Hinkletown, Earl Twp.
Roads
Turnpikes
Place
Cocalico Twp. and Earl Twp.
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Certificate
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0045 I007
Box Number
001
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/934a8855-fd4d-47b2-922d-588553415033
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0060 I005
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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
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Colerain Twp.
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Elkton, Maryland
Lancaster
Petitions
Orders
Reports
Bridges
Place
Colerain Twp. and Chester County
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0060 I005
Box Number
001
Additional Notes
Court term: November 1834.
Location: On road leading from Elkton, Maryland to Lancaster City.
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/e5abf092-78c5-442c-8f68-277555787872
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0060 I006
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
1835
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Octoraro Creek, East Branch
Colerain Twp.
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster
Oxford, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Mount Vernon Ford
Fords
Petitions
Orders
Reports
Bridges
Place
Colerain Twp. and Chester County
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0060 I006
Box Number
001
Additional Notes
Bridge over [East Branch] of Octoraro Creek
Court term: January 1835.
Location: On public highway from Lancaster City to Oxford, Chester County, at Mount Vernon Ford.
Document types: Petition for a bridge.
Order and report of viewers.
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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Documents

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/91cc073d-5c85-4947-955a-067205272291
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0415 I006
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
1832
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0006
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Mill Creek
Lampeter Twp.
Lancaster
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Orders
Reports
Bridges
Place
Lampeter Twp.
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0415 I006
Box Number
006
Additional Notes
Court term: January 1832.
Location: On the old road from Lancaster to Philadelphia.
Document type: Order and report of viewers.
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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Documents

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/657d0d2c-1068-47bb-bca6-520331407854
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0420 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
1836
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0006
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Creeks
Mill Creek
Lampeter Twp.
Roads
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lancaster
Specifications
Contracts
Bridges
Provincial Road
Place
Lampeter Twp.
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0420 I004
Box Number
006
Additional Notes
Location: On the Provincial Road from Philadelphia to Lancaster.
Document type: Specifications and contract for bridge construction.
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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List

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/ccd0b2bd-e7e6-4263-b313-320312753140
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0205 I006
Date Range
1836
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1836
Year
1836
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0003
People
Weaver, Christian
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Blue Ball, Earl Twp.
Bridges
Christian Weaver's Mill
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Earl Twp.
Mills
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Subscriptions
Place
Earl Twp.
Object Name
List
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0205 I006
Box Number
003
Additional Notes
Location: On state road from Blue Ball, Earl Twp., to Reading, Berks County, at Christian Weaver's Mill.
Document type: Subscription list for new bridge.
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/be858354-a32f-4315-bcdf-129740487191
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Object ID
Bridge F0025 I003
Date Range
1836/01
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Description
Court term: January 1836.
Location: On road from Churchtown, Caernarvon Twp., to the Ephrata and Downingtown Turnpike, at Lower Windsor Forge.
Document types: Petition for appointment of viewers.
Order and report of viewers.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1836/01
Year
1836
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Caernarvon Twp.
Churchtown, Caernarvon Twp.
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Ephrata and Downingtown Turnpike
Forges
Lower Windsor Forge
Orders
Petitions
Reports
Roads
Turnpikes
Place
Caernarvon Twp.
Extent
3 items, 3 pieces
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0025 I003
Box Number
001
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/b1e3a629-98aa-469e-9779-836632505647
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0045 I004
Date Range
1832/04
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1832/04
Year
1832
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Cocalico Twp.
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Earl Twp.
Hinkletown, Earl Twp.
Petitions
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Place
Cocalico Twp. and Earl Twp.
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0045 I004
Box Number
001
Additional Notes
Court term: April 1832.
Location: At Hinkletown, Earl Twp., on road to Philadelphia.
Document type: Petition for appointment of viewers.
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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10 records – page 1 of 1.