Ernstville near Big Pool in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ernstville Road Bridge
Western Maryland Rail Trail
The Ernstville Road Bridge was constructed in 1930 to carry motor vehicles on Ernstville Road safely over the Western Maryland Railway. From 1904 until the construction of the bridge, vehicles traveling on the road between Ernstville and Big Pool had to cross the railroad tracks at grade, which was very dangerous.
The one lane, metal girder Ernstville Road Bridge rested on two concrete piers and had a wooden plank deck. In its time, the bridge was considered a great safeway improvement. Its metal and concrete construction was stronger and more maintenance-free than a traditional all-wooden would have been.
With time, however, the metal corroded and the wooden planks deteriorated. Ernstville Road Bridge was no longer safe to use and had to be replaced. The present concrete culvert was constructed in 1997 as part of the development of the Western Maryland Rail Trail. It has been faced with stone to resemble traditional railroad tunnels seen throughout Western Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 39° 37.674′ N, 78° 1.281′ W. Marker is near Big Pool, Maryland, in Washington County. It is in Ernstville.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The National Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Big Pool Junction (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The National Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Western Maryland (approx. 1.3 miles away); “...to protect, preserve...and provide access thereto for the public.” (approx. 1.3 miles away); "Old Fort Frederick" (approx. 1.3 miles away); “...a place of Arms...would be absolutely neccessary” (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Big Pool.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
