Near Grantsville in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Castlemans River Bridge
⎯⎯⎯
The Little Crossings
(Formerly "Little Youghiogeny")
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2004
1. Castleman's River Bridge Marker
Castleman's River Bridge
(Formerly "Little Youghiogeny")
Erected 1813 by David Shriver, Jr., Sup't of the "Cumberland Road" (The National Road). This 80 foot span was the largest stone arch in America at the time. It was continuously used from 1813 to 1933.
The Little Crossings
(Of the Little Youghiogeny River now called Castleman's River)
So called by George Washington when he crossed on June 19, 1755, with General Edward Braddock on the ill-fated expedition to Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh).
Erected by State Roads Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust, the National Historic Landmarks, and the The Historic National Road series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.
Location. 39° 41.817′ N, 79° 8.554′ W. Marker is near Grantsville, Maryland, in Garrett County. It is on Casselman Road near The National Pike (U.S. 40). Casselman Road was the original alignment of the National Road leading to the bridge. It stops at the east end of the bridge where the marker can be found. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grantsville MD 21536, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region and in Western Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
More about this marker. There are two identical markers, one on each end of the Castleman River Bridge. This marker, like its twin, describes the "The Little Crossings" (which see) on its other face.
Casselman Road runs through the Spruce Forest & Artisan Village at Penn Alps just east of Granstvile. There is plenty of parking and plenty to see and do and buy. The Stonebow Inn Bed & Breakfast is a few feet from the marker and the Pennsylvania Dutch family-style Penn Alps Restaurant is worth the stop.
Also see . . .
1. Casselman's Bridge. Photos by David Denenberg on Bridgemeister.com. (Submitted on February 4, 2006.)
2. Spruce Forest Artisan Village. Website homepage (Submitted on February 4, 2006.)
3. Penn Alps. Website homepage (Submitted on February 4, 2006.)
Additional keywords.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel
2. The Little Crossings Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 25, 2021
3. Casselman's Bridge Marker
Has been designated a
REGISTERED NATIONAL
HISTORIC LANDMARK
Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 11, 2006
4. The Other Markers, at the West End of the Bridge
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel
5. The Little Crossings Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 9, 2004
6. The Casselman Bridge
Spruce Forest & Artisan Village, a Bed and Breakfast, and the Penn Alps Restaurant are to the right of this photograph.
Library of Congress - HABS, December 1933
7. Detail Of Bridge Over Casselman River
Library of Congress - HABS
8. South Elevation
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2005
9. 1911
“In 1911 the bridge was repaired but today remains essentially unchanged from the time of its construction. Six steel columns support the structure on either side and do not overtly detract from its appearance.” — National Register Form.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 17, 2020
10. National Historic Landmark plaque on the west side of the bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,722 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 4, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on December 18, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on July 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on May 18, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on December 18, 2020, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on February 4, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 1, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 10. submitted on July 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
