James Finley Marker

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Uniontown in Fayette County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

James Finley
(1756-1828)

James Finley Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Mike Wintermantel, April 17, 2011

1. James Finley Marker

Inscription. In 1808 Finley obtained the first US patent for a suspension bridge. His first rigid chain bridge, which once spanned nearby Jacob’s Creek, exemplified the ingenuity of Finley’s design. Bridges following his patented design were built in several other states, and he is considered a pioneer of the modern suspension bridge. A Uniontown resident, he served as a judge and a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.

Erected 2008 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Location. 39° 53.959′ N, 79° 43.36′ W. Marker is in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from Jefferson Street. Click for map. Located at the Uniontown Public Library. Marker is in this post office area: Uniontown PA 15401, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Fayette County (approx. 0.2 miles away); George C. Marshall (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named George C. Marshall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Underground Railroad (approx. half a mile away); Uniontown (approx. 1.1 miles away); National Road (approx. 2.3 miles away); Fort Gaddis (approx. 2.5 miles away); Braddock Road - Dunbar’s Camp (approx. 4.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Uniontown.

By Mike Wintermantel, April 17, 2011

2. James Finley Marker

Also see . . . Structure Mag.com - James Finley. (Submitted on April 18, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

By William Strickland, 1810

3. Chain Bridge

Detail of "View of the Chain Bridge invented by James Finley Esq." (1810), wood engraving, The Port Folio [Magazine], June 1810. Although not specifically identified, this is likely the Chain Bridge at Falls of Schuylkill

Credits. This page originally submitted on April 18, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 347 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.