This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1955: (footbridge)

Jersey Shore vicinity, Pennsylvania, USA - Pine Creek
Bridgemeister ID:591 (added 2003-01-05)
Year Completed:1955
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Jersey Shore vicinity, Pennsylvania, USA
Crossing:Pine Creek
At or Near Feature:Boy Scouts Camp Kline
Coordinates:41.273683 N 77.323883 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:Williamsport Technical Institute students
Use:Footbridge
Status:Destroyed, 1972
Main Cables:Wire

Notes:

  • The postcard (postmarked 1961) showing the bridge says, "The largest foot-suspension bridge in the East crosses Pine Creek at the Boy Scouts' Camp Kline, north of Jersey Shore, Pa. Built in 1955 by Williamsport Technical Institute students with materials donated by area industries. Valued over $25,000, the 409-foot span has concrete anchors and a 14-ton capacity. For 35 years previous, boats were used to reach the popular 360-acre camp-site, donated to the Scouts in 1920 by James N. Kline, a Williamsport merchant." It's doubtful this was anywhere close to being a 409-foot bridge.
  • The message written on the postcard is amusing (though unrelated to the bridge): "Hi Mom and Dad, I had a fine time up here. I went on a boat trip Monday around the island. We got half way around and Tiny tiped [sic] his boat then we tiped ours. I didn't get to sleep until 2:00 Monday night. I am going to try to swim a mile today. I don't do nothing but lay in my bunk and listen to records. Ken."
  • Patrick O'Donnell is familiar with this area and notes that the bridge is gone, but the concrete footings are still visible. He suspects 1972's Hurricane Agnes brought down this bridge. Denny Keller confirms Patrick's suspicion with a firsthand account of Hurricane Agnes' impact on this bridge: "21 June 1972 is a date that I will never forget. I along with 340+ kids and adults were at Camp Kline during our yearly 4-H camp. I was the very last (along with the National Guard that performed the rescue) to leave and walk across the bridge that once stood at 11PM on the evening of June 21st. I along with two other senior 4-H counselors. I can remember the last trip across the bridge while mobile homes, trees, and all type of debris were floating down the creek and hitting the bridge underneath."
Postcard, collection of David Denenberg Photo by Patrick S. O'Donnell

Find bridges within of this bridge's location (N 41.273683 W 77.323883)

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


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