Near Castile in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Lower Falls Footbridge

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017

1. The Lower Falls Footbridge Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

One of the greatest challenges to the ingenuity and perseverance of three of Letchworth State Park's four CCC camps was the construction of a trail down the sheer cliff walls to cross the Genesee River at the Lower Falls. It was Camp SP-49 that completed this monumental undertaking. The 46-foot-long bridge is the only pedestrian crossing of the Genesee River within the park.

Erected by Letchworth State Park.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Man-Made Features • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 42° 35.456′ N, 78° 0.636′ W. Marker is near Castile, New York, in Wyoming County. Marker can be reached from Park Road/Octagon Road, 2 miles east of Denton Corners Road (County Route 38). Marker is located near the Lower Falls parking area, about 2 miles southeast of the Letchworth State Park Castile entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Castile NY 14427, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Life and Leisure in a CCC Camp (here, next to this marker); CCC Statue (a few steps from this marker); The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Life in Lower Falls Camp 49 (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Falls Camp SP-49 (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Big Bend Camp 23, SP 5 (approx. ¾ mile away); The Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 0.8 miles away); Site of Camp 23, Sp 5 - Letchworth State Park's first camp (approx. 0.9 miles away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Civilian Conservation Corps Camp SP-49

Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (1) image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (1)

Construction of the bridge began early in 1935. On each side of the river, working platforms were chipped out of the rock and scaffolding was lowered into place from Table Rock.

Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (2) image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (2)

Building the wooden form to support the arch.

Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (3) image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (3)

Forms were built to shape concrete that was anchored by steel bars driven into the cliff walls.

Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (4) image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Footbridge Construction (4)

Quarried rock was carefully fitted together as the bridge neared completion.

Marker detail: Constructing steps along the Lower Falls Trail, September 24, 1936 image. Click for full size.

6. Marker detail: Constructing steps along the Lower Falls Trail, September 24, 1936

Marker detail: 1992 & 1993 Reinforcement image. Click for full size.

7. Marker detail: 1992 & 1993 Reinforcement

Work on the footbridge was completed by the fall of 1935. This photograph shows work done in 1992 and 1993 to reinforce the bridge's support on the cliffs. In 1972, during Hurricane Agnes, the river crashed over the bridge, which was so well-built that it withstood the battering.

The Lower Falls Footbridge Marker Kiosk<br>(<i>marker is left panel of this two-panel kiosk</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017

8. The Lower Falls Footbridge Marker Kiosk
(marker is left panel of this two-panel kiosk)

Lower Falls Footbridge (<i>view from Genesee River Gorge Trail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017

9. Lower Falls Footbridge (view from Genesee River Gorge Trail)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.