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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/47217466-86c2-4e4e-84fc-377528566280
Collection
Commissioners' Orders for Payment
Title
Commissioners' order for payment
Object ID
CommOrder 1831 #108
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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 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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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
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 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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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/ba55182b-e013-45ea-a0c9-207304231899
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of inspectors; order for inspection and inspection report
Object ID
Bridge F0080 I007
Date Range
1847
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of inspectors; order for inspection and inspection report
Description
Court term: November 1847
Location: At White Rock, Little Britain Twp.
Document types: Petition for appointment of inspectors.
Order for inspection and inspection report.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1847
Year
1847
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Inspections
Little Britain Twp.
Octoraro Creek, West Branch
Orders
Petitions
Reports
White Rock Covered Bridge
White Rock Forge Covered Bridge
White Rock, Little Britain Twp.
Place
Colerain Twp. and Little Britain Twp.
Extent
2 items, 2 pieces
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0080 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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Petition

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/9a50630c-cbbf-4252-bfb4-566213017550
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Object ID
Bridge F0370 I001
Date Range
1840
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Petition for appointment of viewers; order and report of viewers
Description
Court term: August 1840.
Location: On a public road laid out from a stake near the mouth of Middle Creek, in a public road leading from Lititz, Warwick Twp., to Ephrata, Ephrata Twp., to a stake one perch east of Cocalico Bridge.
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
1840
Year
1840
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0006
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Cocalico Bridge
Creeks
Ephrata Twp.
Ephrata, Ephrata Twp.
Lititz, Warwick Twp.
Middle Creek
Orders
Petitions
Reports
Warwick Twp.
Place
Ephrata Twp. and Warwick Twp.
Extent
2 items, 2 pieces
Object Name
Petition
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0370 I001
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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Report

https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/8145fad0-297a-476d-9c32-405371502301
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report on amount of timber used in bridge construction
Object ID
Bridge F0900 I002
Date Range
1844
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report on amount of timber used in bridge construction
Description
Court term: January 1844.
Document type: Report on amount of timber used in bridge construction.
1. Bridge over Conestoga Creek
[East Lampeter Twp. and Lancaster Twp.]
Location: At Ranck's Mill.
2. Huber's Bridge
[Conestoga Twp. and Lancaster Twp.]
Location: Over Conestoga Creek.
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1844
Year
1844
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0013
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Conestoga Creek
Conestoga Twp.
Creeks
East Lampeter Twp.
Huber's Bridge
Lancaster Twp.
Mills
Ranck's Mill
Reports
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0900 I002
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/8ec4f852-58c8-42d1-8fba-874070044740
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report of viewers
Object ID
Bridge F0080 I005
Date Range
1846
More detail
Collection
Bridge Records
Title
Report of viewers
Description
Court term: January 1846.
Location: At White Rock, Little Britain Twp.
Document type: Report of viewers
System of Arrangement
Records are arranged by township, then chronologically within each township.
Date Range
1846
Year
1846
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Archives West
Storage Container
Box 0001
Subcategory
Documentary Artifact
Search Terms
Bridges
Colerain Twp.
Creeks
Little Britain Twp.
Octoraro Creek, West Branch
Reports
White Rock Covered Bridge
White Rock Forge Covered Bridge
White Rock, Little Britain Twp.
Place
Colerain Twp. and Little Britain Twp.
Extent
1 item, 1 piece
Object Name
Report
Language
English
Condition
Fair
Object ID
Bridge F0080 I005
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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8 records – page 1 of 1.