Holmesburg in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pennypack Creek Bridge
Built circa 1697 at a Lenape Indian trail crossing, it is the oldest roadway bridge in continuous use in the nation. The tri-arch stone span was an important link on the King's Highway, one of America's oldest roads. It served American and French combined forces on the march to Yorktown, known as the Rochambeau Route, in 1781. The only major modification to the bridge was widening in 1893; the upstream side is essentially unchanged from the original.
Erected 2012 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era • Native Americans • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1697.
Location. 40° 2.613′ N, 75° 1.181′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Holmesburg. Marker is at the intersection of Frankford Avenue (U.S. 13) and Solly Avenue on Frankford Avenue. The marker is located at Pennypack Park in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Upper Holmesburg. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8381 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia PA 19136, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker , measured as the crow flies. Greenbelt Knoll (approx. 0.9 miles away); Thomas Holme (1624-1695) (approx. 0.9 miles away); Torresdale / Holmesburg (approx. 1.2 miles away); Torresdale (approx. 1.3 miles away); Tidal Delaware Water Trail (approx. 1˝ miles away); Riverton Yacht Club (approx. 2 miles away in New Jersey); Caleb Clothier House (approx. 2 miles away in New Jersey); Wharton-Fitler House (approx. 2 miles away in New Jersey). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
More about this marker. Marker was relocated to the east a few hundred yards near the Trailhead of the Pennypack Creek Trail. It is near the intersection of Ashburner Road and Frankford Avenue.
Also see . . . The Oldest Road Bridge In The USA Is In Philly And Is Still Being Used. The Vintage news website entry (Submitted on September 7, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 756 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on August 14, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 18, 2020, by HistoricTownsOfAmerica.com - Guy Saladino of Long Beach, New York. 4, 5. submitted on July 23, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 6. submitted on November 21, 2020. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.