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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
230 North President Avenue • Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603-3125 717.392.4633 • www.LancasterHistory.org Columbia Bridge Company Collection, 1809-1843 Object ID: MG0217 5 boxes 190 folders 3 cubic ft. Repository: LancasterHistory (Organization) Shelving Location: Archives South, Side 5 Scope and
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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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Finding Aid

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Documents

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/7d27978d-187b-4284-8ea9-414013758930
Collection
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Title
Commissioners' order for payment
Object ID
CommOrder 1827 #365
Date Range
1827
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Collection
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Title
Commissioners' order for payment
Description
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Date Range
1827
Date of Accumulation
1810-1901
Creator
County Commissioners
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Container
Box 0007
People
Deitrich, Michael
Dietrich, Philip
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Lancaster
Bridges
Conestoga River
Witmer's Bridge
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Place
Lancaster
Extent
70 boxes (35 cubic tabard.)
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2008-03-25
Object ID
CommOrder 1827 #365
Box Number
007
Notes
Entered into Q & A Jun 7, 2001.
Additional Notes
Bridges.
Payment for Witmer's Bridge.
Deitrich, Michael. Administrator for Dietrich, Philip, deceased.
See also CommOrder 1827 #356 and CommOrder 1827 #357.
1 item. 1 piece.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 08-01 0510
Description Level
Item
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Documents

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/47217466-86c2-4e4e-84fc-377528566280
Collection
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Title
Commissioners' order for payment
Object ID
CommOrder 1831 #108
More detail
Collection
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Title
Commissioners' order for payment
Description
This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners' Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Date of Accumulation
1810-1901
Year
1831
Creator
County Commissioners
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Container
Box 0011
People
Eberman, John
Search Terms
Bridges
Lancaster
Conestoga River
Witmer's Bridge
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Place
Lancaster
Extent
70 boxes (35 cubic ft.)
Object Name
Documents
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2008-03-25
Object ID
CommOrder 1831 #108
Box Number
011
Notes
Entered into Q&A Aug 7, 2001.
Additional Notes
Bridges.
Payment of interest on mortgage on Abraham Witmer's bridge.
Eberman, John. Cashier, Farmers First Bank.
1 item. 1 piece.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at research desk. Photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 08-01 0510
Description Level
Item
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Fragment

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/7cdc7513-71fc-4aea-8725-536926172412
Collection
Architecture Collection
Object ID
1975.010
Date Range
1840-1863
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  1 image  
Collection
Architecture Collection
Description
Wooden piece of Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, Burned June 28th, 1863.
Date Range
1840-1863
Year Range From
1840
Year Range To
1863
Storage Location
LCHS / Willson Memorial Building
Storage Room
Guild Vault
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 01
Storage Shelf
Shelf 2
Subcategory
Artifact Remnant
Search Terms
Bridges
Columbia - Wrightsville Bridge
Object Name
Fragment
Material
Wood
Height (in)
9.75
Length (in)
3.25
Width (in)
7
Condition
Good
Object ID
1975.010
Accession Number
1975.010
Images
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Petition

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/66ea43e5-9dc4-4e37-a512-779534022214
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Object ID
Bridge F0205 I002
Date Range
1804
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Description
Court term: May 1804.
Location: At remains of Carpenter's Bridge, on road from Mount Hope Ironworks to Newport, Delaware.
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
1804
Year
1804
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0003
People
Carpenter
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Carpenter's Bridge
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Earl Twp.
Forges
Mount Hope Ironworks
Newport, Delaware
Orders
Petitions
Reports
Place
Earl Twp.
Extent
2 items, 2 pieces
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0205 I002
Box Number
003
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/fa2a4285-c103-498d-8eda-296887577850
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Object ID
Bridge F0315 I007
Date Range
1867
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Description
Court term: August 1867.
Location: Former site of Binkley's Bridge, on the Strasburg, Neffsville, Salunga Road and on the public road from New Holland, Earl Twp., to Lancaster.
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
1867
Year
1867
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0005
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Binkley's Bridge
Bridges
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
East Lampeter Twp.
Lancaster
Manheim Twp.
New Holland, Earl Twp.
Orders
Petitions
Reports
Roads
Strasburg, Neffsville, and Salunga Road
Place
East Lampeter Twp. and Manheim Twp.
Extent
2 items, 3 pieces
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0315 I007
Box Number
005
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/022b44e0-ca68-4491-b902-633035971328
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Object ID
Bridge F0695 I006
Date Range
1861/01
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Bridge Records
Date Range
1861/01
Year
1861
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0010
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Binkley's Bridge, Manheim Twp.
Bridges
Centerville Mill
Chickies Creek
Chiques Creek
Creeks
Forges
Furnaces
Marietta
Mills
Orders
Petitions
Rapho Twp.
Reports
Sarah Ann Furnace
West Hempfield Twp.
Place
Rapho Twp. and West Hempfield Twp.
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0695 I006
Box Number
010
Additional Notes
Court term: January 1861.
Location: On public road from Marietta to Binkley's Bridge, Manheim Twp., near Centerville Mill and Sarah Ann Furnace.
Document types: Petition for appointment of viewers.
Order and report of viewers.
2 items, 3 pieces
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Case Number
46.000
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Petition

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/5ac8959a-be9d-4fe6-9085-113947328243
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers
Object ID
Bridge F0425 I005
Date Range
1805
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers
Description
[Lampeter Twp. and Lancaster Twp.]
Location: Near Kendrick's Tavern, former site of Swenck's Bridge.
Document type: Petition for appointment of viewers
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1805
Year
1805
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0006
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Kendrick's Tavern
Lampeter Twp.
Lancaster Twp.
Petitions
Swenck's Bridge
Taverns
Place
Lampeter Twp. and Lancaster Twp.
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0425 I005
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/c5cbe1a4-094f-4526-b9c9-841289235979
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for payment for completion and repairing bridge
Object ID
Bridge F0445 I005
Date Range
1800
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for payment for completion and repairing bridge
Description
[Lampeter Twp.] and Manheim Twp.
Court term: August 1800.
Location: Over Conestoga Creek four miles from Lancaster, near Christian Binkley's Mill. [Document lists location as Leacock Twp. and Manheim Twp].
Document type: Petition for payment for completion and repairing bridge.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1800
Year
1800
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0007
People
Binkley, Christian
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Binkley's Bridge
Bridges
Christian Binkley's Mill
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
Lampeter Twp.
Lancaster
Leacock Twp.
Manheim Twp.
Mills
Petitions
Place
Lampeter Twp. and Manheim Twp.
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0445 I005
Box Number
007
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Request at Reference Desk; photocopy made by staff member.
Classification
RG 02-00 0324
Description Level
Item
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Record, Judicial

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/2b21d29a-4f52-440f-9592-499295465224
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Opinion on inspection report
Object ID
Bridge F0320 I002
Date Range
1869
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Opinion on inspection report
Description
[East Lampeter Twp. and Manheim Twp.]
Location: On the New Holland Turnpike, former site of Binkley's Bridge.
Document type: Opinion on inspection report
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1869
Year
1869
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0005
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Binkley's Bridge
Bridges
Conestoga Creek
Creeks
East Lampeter Twp.
Manheim Twp.
New Holland Turnpike
Opinions
Reports
Roads
Turnpikes
Place
East Lampeter Twp. and Manheim Twp.
Extent
1 item, 2 pieces
Object Name
Record, Judicial
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0320 I002
Box Number
005
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.