Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Skew Arch Bridge Trail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2009
1. Skew Arch Bridge Trail Marker
The spur trail to your left leads 1/3 mile down the east slope of the mountain to the historic Skew Arch Bridge. The bridge is located near the base of the portage railroad's Incline No. 6. The trail roughly parallels the incline.
The Skew Arch Bridge was completed in 1834 to carry travelers on the Huntingdon, Cambria & Indiana Turnpike over the portage railroad. The road also accommodated wagons, horses, and livestock. The railroad closed in 1854, but the road bridge remained in service until 1922.
Builders "skewed" the angle of the bridge to allow the road to cross Incline No. 6 without making an awkward bend. Today the bridge with its interwoven diagonal planes and pleasing lines stands as a superb example of stone masonry design and craftsmanship.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. 40° 27.367′ N, 78° 33.003′ W. Marker is in Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is along the trail leading from the Visitor Center to Engine House No. 6. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Engine House No. 6 (here, next to this marker); Inclined Plane No. 6 (here, next to this marker); Allegheny Portage Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Stone (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lemon House (about 400 feet away); Levels (about 400 feet away); Summit Level Historic Area (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Lemon House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site.
Also see . . . Allegheny Portage National Historic Site. (Submitted on March 21, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2009
2. Skew Arch Bridge Trail Marker
Photographed By National Park Service, undated
3. Skew Arch Bridge Diagram on Marker
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1900
4. Photo on Skew Arch Bridge Trail Marker
[Caption reads]Skew Arch Bridge from the downhill side about 1900. The railroad tracks that ran under it had been removed, but vehicles were still using the road above.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 6, 2009
5. Skew Arch Bridge
Looking uphill through the arch toward Engine House No. 6
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 777 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 21, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
