Notes:

• In an email dated January 16, 2000, Don Sayenga provided information about the location of this bridge. Generally attributed to Uniontown (the seat of Fayette County, PA), Mr. Sayenga offers some clues about the bridge's true location. "[James Finley] stated that he built it near the home of his friend Meason which implies a connection for the iron as Meason was making iron. Meason's home has survived by the way, a beautiful place. Finley stated it was a combination contract with the cost split between two counties, and he stated it was built over Jacob's Creek which is the county boundary. He also makes it clear it was on the road to Greensburg. The only place the old road crossed Jacob's Creek is just south of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. On the geodetic survey maps this spot is marked "Iron Bridge" but there is no town there. The last time I was there I saw a sign that said 'Iron Bridge' on an automobile scrap yard. I found absolutely no trace of the bridge, but it was not very big, so there was no need for a huge abutment."
• First suspension bridge with a rigid level deck, often considered the world's first modern suspension bridge.
• Coordinates are for the likely location of the bridge, where present-day (2020) Pennsylvania route 3105 crosses Jacob's Creek.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000873

External Links:

• Dunlap's Creek Bridge (link reported not working). "The first recorded bridge across Dunlap's Creek was a wooden structure constructed prior to 1774. It was repaired in 1801, but was destroyed during a spring storm in 1808. A chain-link suspension bridge was built on the site in 1809; it collapsed under the weight of snow and a heavily laden wagon in 1820. A third bridge, another wooden structure, built in 1821 also failed. The present bridge is thus the fourth bridge at the site."
• Structurae - Structure ID 20008055

Notes:

• Failed 1811, 1816. HBE notes the 1811 was due to weight of cattle. The 1816 failure was due to weight of ice and snow.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008053

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008060

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008059

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008058

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008062

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008063

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008064

Notes:

• Narrow footbridge. First wire bridge in North America. HBE notes "first wire suspension bridge in any country."
• Often described as having collapsed under the weight of ice and snow, Don Sayenga notes that no contemporary sources confirm this demise. Since the nearby chain bridge did fail under weight of ice and snow, he believes this fate has been misattributed to the White and Hazard footbridge. Don believes the bridge was just dismantled at some point after June, 1816.
• Al Zagofsky also wrote to explain there was no evidence of this bridge collapsing under weight of ice and snow. Al writes: "According to an original source Captain Joshua Rowley Watson, who inspected the bridge on June 15, 1816: '...There was a bridge, but which by the weight of ice and snow, has been carried away.' This refers to the previous bridge that the cable bridge was temporarily replacing. I did not see any cause for failure of the wire rope bridge. My guess is that it was removed when the regular bridge was repaired. The same article shows a sketch that he made, showing the main span to be 407 feet. I am looking at the Canal History and Technology Proceedings Vol 5, March 22, 1986."

Notes:

• Finley patent bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008066

Notes:

• BBR and BOB say the bridge was completed in 1841.

Notes:

• In use until 1860.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006118

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007338

Notes:

• BPL: Completed 1848. RDH/BDR: Completed 1848, not used until 1849.
• Originally constructed to carry the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Converted to a one-lane vehicular bridge soon after the canal closed in 1898. Substantially restored in 1980's and 1990's, but retains original cables.
• Built as part of same project as 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 High Falls Aqueduct - High Falls, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 Neversink Aqueduct - Cuddebackville, New York, USA.
• Near 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000260

Notes:

• BPL says 1848, RDH says same, but not used until 1849.
• Built as part of same project as 1848 Delaware Aqueduct (Roebling Aqueduct) - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and Minisink Ford, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 High Falls Aqueduct - High Falls, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 Neversink Aqueduct - Cuddebackville, New York, USA.
• Near 1848 Delaware Aqueduct (Roebling Aqueduct) - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and Minisink Ford, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007339

Notes:

• BDR: Built 1856, severely damaged 1859, rebuilt, collapsed Jan. 1st 1865, rebuilt 1866. Dale writes: "A respected historian, John Willard Johnston, who knew Chauncey Thomas personally and visited the area during his ownership of the toll bridge, insisted that Thomas, as the builder, was grossly incompetent."
• Originally constructed with one main span, the center pier was added during the 1866 reconstruction.
• Don Sayenga's research leads him to conclude the bridge was completed in the fall of 1855. He notes an article from the Pike County Democrat (June 21, 1872) stating the bridge was completed in 1855. The article also notes the 1859 collapse occurred on July 2, 1859. Don's interest in this bridge is piqued by the connection to John Roebling, "...this bridge seems to be the only John Roebling bridge that failed in service..." Roebling prepared plans, for the original bridge, for Chauncy Thomas (who, by Dale's account was inexperienced).

Notes:

• Often mistakenly called a "chain" bridge, this is a "change" bridge.

External Links:

• Aldrich Change Bridge. Dale Oswald explains (in the context of the Aldrich Change Bridge, a non-suspension bridge in Palmyra, New York): "A change bridge is one with low railings and an underpass that allowed draft teams to move from one side of the canal to the other without unhitching, cloverleaf-style."

Notes:

• BPL cites this bridge as the first suspension bridge with metal towers. However, at least two earlier suspension bridges (1857 Watertown, New York and 1856 Bidwell Bar, California) are known to have metal towers and even Roebling's 1846 Smithfield Street Bridge in Pittsburgh had cast iron towers.
• Next to 1884 North Side (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007343

Notes:

• 1870: Cable ends caught fire precipitating collapse, killing two.

Notes:

• JFI186604 (in which Boller mentions about the bridge's "peculiar system of trussing": "This general arrangement for suspension bridges was first practised by John Murphy, Esq., C.E., over the Gauley, in West Virginia, and also at Franklin, Pennsylvania.")
• Destroyed by flood June 1, 1889.
• Near 1878 Maynard Street - Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Replaced by 1889 Market Street - Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood 1903.
• Replaced by 1904 Lordville-Equinunk - Lordville, New York and Equinunk, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Coordinates indicate approximate original location of the bridge.
• Destroyed by storm soon after completion and rebuilt.
• Images of America: Warren by Jodi L. Brandon shows an image of this bridge with a caption stating the bridge was moved to Kelletville (in Forest County, Pennsylvania) in 1906.

Notes:

• Crossed the East Branch Delaware River on an alignment indicated by the current Old Bridge Street, between the rail crossing and the current (2020s) Stockport Road bridge.
• Replaced 1937.

Notes:

• BDR: Destroyed by ice March 17, 1875, rebuilt, destroyed by flood October 11, 1903.

Notes:

• In use until 1910, possibly longer. Replacement opened 1925.

Notes:

• AAJ: Rebuilt, 1884, 1905.

Notes:

• Partial floor collapse requiring extensive repairs, December 24, 1903. Repaired, 1904. Demolished 1927.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006126

Notes:

• Damaged by flood, June 1, 1889. Rebuilt, but unclear if rebuilt as a suspension bridge. May have been rebuilt as a truss bridge.
• Near 1865 Market Street - Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• 1896: Reconstructed by Hermann Laub

Notes:

• Next to 1860 Allegheny River (Sixth Street, St. Clair) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Replaced by 1926 Andy Warhol (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Bridgehunter.com | 7th Street Bridge

Notes:

• Damaged by windstorm 1950.

Notes:

• Dismantled 1983. One tower used in extant (2007) Workers Memorial Tower at Reading, PA.
• The coordinates provided are for the original location of the bridge. The memorial is located at N 40.3245 W 75.9263.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20011000

Notes:

• The town was named "Mauch Chunk" at the time the pipeline was built.

Notes:

• Replaced 1865 Market Street - Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Replaced by 1936 Kellams (Little Equinunk, Kellams-Stalker, Kellam) - Kellams, New York and Stalker, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• This bridge is an eyebar suspension and truss hybrid similar to the Florianopolis, Silver, and Saint Marys bridges.
• 2012, May: Closed for two weeks for repairs after a snapped support was discovered.
• Companion to 1891 Upper - English Center Borough, Pennsylvania, USA.
• See 1926 Hercilio Luz (Florianopolis) - Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
• See 1928 Point Pleasant (Silver) - Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Kanauga, Gallipolis vicinity, Ohio, USA.
• See 1928 Saint Marys (Hi Carpenter, Short Route) - Saint Marys, West Virginia and Newport, Ohio, USA.

Annotated Citations:

• Crossley, Pat. "Historic bridge on the list to be rehabbed." Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2023/03/historic-bridge-on-the-list-to-be-rehabbed/
  

  $12 million rehabilitation project planned. "According to Maggie Baker, a spokesperson with PennDOT… 'After traffic is switched to the temporary bridge, the existing bridge will be carefully dismantled. The existing structural components of the bridge will be shipped to a fabricator to be cleaned and painted. Remedies for damaged components will be coordinated with the onsite cultural resource representative. Abutments will be carefully dismantled and reconstructed.'"

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004762

Notes:

• Slightly larger than the Lower Bridge at English Center.
• Companion to 1891 Lower - English Center Borough, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20009575

Notes:

• According to Tyrell, "[It] joins Dock Street on the lower side of the river with Glendon Avenue on the upper side, 90 feet above it. To overcome this difference in elevation of the two ends without incurring excessive expense for approach, the bridge floor was made to descend on a grade of 7.2 per cent from the upper bank to meet stairs rising from Dock Street..."

Notes:

• Eyebar suspension bridge.
• Replaced 1869 Lordville - Lordville, New York and Equinunk, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008003

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20005820

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood, January 19, 1996.
• Replaced by 1996 (footbridge) - Hooversville, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Located on the grounds of Camp Delmont which is now part of the Musser Scout Reservation. Presumably no longer in existence.

External Links:

• Facebook. Image and history of the bridge.

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood, March 17, 1936.
• Replaced by 1937 Hyde Park Walking - Hyde Park and Leechburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The replacement was constructed based on the John A. Roebling's Sons plans from the first bridge.

Notes:

• Destroyed by Hurricane Agnes, June 22, 1972.
• Replaced by 1996 Swinging - Millersburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Self-anchored.
• Replaced 1884 North Side (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Next to 1927 Rachel Carson (Ninth Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Next to 1928 Roberto Clemente (Sixth Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20002306

Notes:

• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1924 Bear Mountain - Anthony's Nose and Bear Mountain, New York, USA.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1929 Ambassador - Detroit, Michigan, USA and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
• Near 1957 Walt Whitman - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000531

Notes:

• Self-anchored.
• Next to 1926 Andy Warhol (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Next to 1928 Roberto Clemente (Sixth Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004771

Notes:

• Self-anchored.
• Next to 1926 Andy Warhol (Seventh Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Next to 1927 Rachel Carson (Ninth Street) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004770

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004772

Notes:

• Damaged by floodwaters June, 2006. Repaired October, 2006.
• Renovation completed, January, 2019.
• Replaced 1890 Kellams (Little Equinunk, Kellams-Stalker, Kellam) - Kellams, New York and Stalker, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008257

Notes:

• Closed due to poor condition, 1948.
• Replaced 1920 Hyde Park Walking - Hyde Park and Leechburg, Pennsylvania, USA. The replacement was constructed based on the John A. Roebling's Sons plans from the first bridge.
• Replaced by 1950 Hyde Park (Walking) - Hyde Park and Leechburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Connects to 1937 Lenape Park II - Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Connects to 1937 Lenape Park I - Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Replaced a much less substantial swinging bridge that was destroyed by flood in 1935.
• The site of this bridge was inundated with the creation of the Green Lane Reservoir in the 1950s. The coordinates indicate the approximate location of the bridge which would have been near the current end of Swinging Bridge Rd.

Notes:

• SSB has an old picture of the bridge from a "Roebling publication". The original caption inside the picture says: "Practical application of Roebling Bridge research is the Lumberville footbridge which spans the Delaware River about twenty miles above Trenton. Pictured below, it utilizes four slabs of Roebling prestressed concrete and the Roebling-developed cable stiffening principle for the first time in the Western Hemisphere." and the authors of SSB go on to describe it asa "two-hinged braced cable suspension footbridge."

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004765

Notes:

• 2005-2008: Rehabilitation project improves access, approaches and adds a lighting system.
• Replaced 1937 Hyde Park Walking - Hyde Park and Leechburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20011108

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."

Notes:

• Near 1926 Benjamin Franklin (Philadelphia-Camden) - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000566

Notes:

• 2021, September: Damaged by Hurricane Ida.

Notes:

• 2024, July: Closed for repairs after a small portion of the deck collapsed.
• Replaced 1907 (footbridge) - Hooversville, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Replaced 1920 Swinging - Millersburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Replaced Rock Cut Farm (Baoba) - Baoba, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Crossed a portion of the Allegheny River to Mead Island.
• Appears to have been removed 2006-2008. Jason Oliphant writes in early 2009: "The north shore suspension supports still exist but the bridge doesn't. I have no idea when it was taken down but I can say that it wasn't there in summer 2008."

Notes:

• Appears to have been damaged by flood in the 2018-2019 time frame.

Notes:

• 2004: Damaged by flooding during Hurricane Ivan. Remained closed through 2005.
• Built in 1920s.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20011102

Notes:

• 2021, February: Closed indefinitely after failing a safety inspection.
• 2023, October: Brookville awarded grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the replacement of the bridge. Work expected to commence in mid-2024.

Annotated Citations:

• Nelson, Alex. "Good news for the swinging bridge." Jeffersonian Democrat, 14, Apr. 2021, http://www.thecourierexpress.com/jeffersonian_democrat/good-news-for-the-swinging-bridge/article_6a72a49c-7ed2-538d-a154-d719a7650c48.html
  

  "Borough Manager Dana Rooney provided a positive update to the swinging bridge at the Walter Dick Memorial Park, saying there is a way for council to repair the existing bridge during last Tuesday’s meeting." Article discusses the council's plan to repair the bridge, rather than replace it, and their progress engaging an engineer to approve the repairs.

Notes:

• Near (footbridge) - Jenkins Corner vicinity, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Rush Wickes writes: "It collapsed once during the mid-1980s due to being overloaded by mischievous Scout campers. It was subsequently rebuilt, explaining the mismatched steel and wood tower combination. The "W" in the tower may very well refer to the phrase, 'Wimachtendienk, Wingolauchsik, Witahemui', or WWW, a motto of the Order of the Arrow honor group. The Octararo lodge of the honor group has its ceremonial fire pit just beyond the steel tower."
• Near (footbridge) - Jenkins Corner vicinity, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Near (footbridge) - Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, USA.

Notes:

• James Boxmeyer writes: "I was involved in a small way in the bridge's construction... Here are a few details about the design. I think it was constructed in the late 1990's or maybe 2000-2001. The camp director said it was designed by people who are familiar with construction of similar bridges by Christian missionaries in other countries where resources are limited and suspension bridges are easier to construct. I used to work for an elevator company. I gave the cable to Camp Sankanac that they said would be used in the main suspension cables as well as the vertical cables that support the walking surface. I think they might have also used some of the cable I donated to hold up the walking surface, but have not seen the bridge in person, so cannot verify that. The main suspension cables had been used in an elevator. They are called traction steel 1/2 inch diameter hoist cables 8x19 construction with a fiber core. Tensile strength of each cable is about 14,500 pounds. The vertical cables are 3/8 inch (without a fiber core) and had been used in a construction hoist."

Notes:

• Connects the roadway to an intake tower in the Springton reservoir.