Clark's Ferry Bridge
The Clark's Ferry Bridge was part of the Main Line Pennsylvania Canal built in 1828. Mules walked on a cantilevered walkway outside the structure and towed canal boats across the river. The dam below the bridge was known as Green's Dam and created a calm surface for the canal boats. The bridge put an end to the hand-poled ferry that existed at this location for nearly 50 years.
Seven different bridges have crossed the Susquehanna at this location. While in Dauphin County the bridge has always had a strong connection to Duncannon and contributed greatly to its growth in the mid-1800s. The covered bridge that stood in the distance was considered at the time to be the longest covered bridge in the world at 2088 feet.
[Photo captions, clockwise from top left, read]
1888
View from Peter's Mountain
Inside bridge
Collecting tolls circa 1920
The "new" bridge 1928
Early 1900s
www.PerryCountyHeritageTrail.com
Erected by Historical Society of Perry County, Susquehanna Greenway, PA DCNR and Borough
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location. 40° 23.387′ N, 77° 1.778′ W. Marker is in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, in Perry County. Marker is at the intersection of Cumberland Street and Water Street, on the left when traveling east on Cumberland Street. Marker is immediately north of the former railroad passenger depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Water Street, Duncannon PA 17020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Railroad in Duncannon (here, next to this marker); Duncannon Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Duncannon (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Duncannon National Bank (about 600 feet away); Duncannon Presbyterian Church Annex (about 600 feet away); First Sunday School In Perry County (about 600 feet away); Entering Duncannon (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Entering Duncannon (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duncannon.
Also see . . .
1. Perry County Heritage Trail - Duncannon. (Submitted on July 9, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Duncannon PA. (Submitted on July 9, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
