Conowingo Bridge
Encyclopedia
Several incarnations of the Conowingo Bridge crossed the Susquehanna River
at the original location of Conowingo, Maryland
, USA, about two miles upstream of the Conowingo Dam
, which replaced it.
built between 1818 and 1820 by Louis Wernwag
, who also worked on the Rock Run Bridge
. (Another source lists 1844.) That bridge was destroyed, in 1846 or 1847, by a flood. A new wooden covered bridge opened in 1859.
This crossing was an important link between Maryland and northern states in the 19th century. During the American Civil War
it was guarded on its southern approach and some of the bridge decking removed to prevent surreptitious crossing.
On 6 June 1907, "firebugs" set fire to the 1859 bridge using kerosene. About three-quarters of a mile of it burned. The bridge was rebuilt as a steel structure in 1909. In 1911 the state of Maryland bought the bridge and ended the tolls.
With the completion of the dam in 1928 both the town and the crossing were relocated due to the rising waters impounded by the dam. The road crossing moved to the top of the dam. The bridge was then destroyed by dynamite
.
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
at the original location of Conowingo, Maryland
Conowingo, Maryland
Conowingo is a small community in western Cecil County, Maryland, USA.Conowingo is a Susquehannock word for "at the rapids".Conowingo was originally located on the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River at the confluence of the Conowingo Creek with the river...
, USA, about two miles upstream of the Conowingo Dam
Conowingo Dam
The Conowingo Dam is a large hydroelectric dam in the Lower Susquehanna River. The dam, one of the largest non-federal hydroelectric dams in the US, is classified as a medium height, masonry gravity type dam...
, which replaced it.
History
The original Conowingo Bridge was a seven-span, 1334 feet (406.6 m), covered bridgeCovered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
built between 1818 and 1820 by Louis Wernwag
Louis Wernwag
Louis Wernwag was a prominent bridge builder in the United States in the early 19th century.-Early life:...
, who also worked on the Rock Run Bridge
Port Deposit Bridge
The Port Deposit Bridge was the earliest bridge crossing of the Susquehanna River below Columbia, Pennsylvania, providing the first reliable link between the northern and southern United States. The bridge was also the fifth and last of Theodore Burr's Susquehanna crossings...
. (Another source lists 1844.) That bridge was destroyed, in 1846 or 1847, by a flood. A new wooden covered bridge opened in 1859.
This crossing was an important link between Maryland and northern states in the 19th century. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
it was guarded on its southern approach and some of the bridge decking removed to prevent surreptitious crossing.
On 6 June 1907, "firebugs" set fire to the 1859 bridge using kerosene. About three-quarters of a mile of it burned. The bridge was rebuilt as a steel structure in 1909. In 1911 the state of Maryland bought the bridge and ended the tolls.
With the completion of the dam in 1928 both the town and the crossing were relocated due to the rising waters impounded by the dam. The road crossing moved to the top of the dam. The bridge was then destroyed by dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
.
