Rapho Township near Manheim in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Shenk's Mill Bridge (1855)

Shenk's Mill Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pope, July 15, 2022

1. Shenk's Mill Bridge Marker

Inscription. In August 1846, citizens of East Hempfield and Rapho Township petitioned for a bridge where the public roads from the Harrisburg Turnpike and from Sporting Hill to the New Holland Road cross the same near Henry Shenk's Mill. Charles Melhorn built the first bridge at this site in 1847 for $650. In the spring of 1854 a storm destroyed the bridge. Residents quickly petitioned the court for a new bridge and even preserved much of the old bridge materials for rebuilding a new one. Bridge proposals received by the County Commissioners in July 1855 selected Levi Fink to rebuild this bridge at a cost of $837. Bridge inspectors met at the nearby house of Henry Shenk on Saturday September 8, 1855 and viewed the newly completed bridge. However, they determined it was not finished in the quality of material or workmanship in conformity with the contract between the builder (Levi Fink) and the Commissioners of Lancaster County.They recommended the bridge builder be paid $100 less than the contract specified. On the night of September 5, 1886 a massive fire burned down Henry Shenk's flour mill adjacent to this bridge. Shenk's Mill

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Bridge is one of the oldest surviving bridges in the county and uniquely utilizes horizontal sideboards possibly salvaged from the earlier bridge

Notice to Bridge Builders.
Sealed Proposals for building a Bridge across Chiques, Creek, at or near Henry S. Shenk's Mill, between East Hempfield and Rapho townships Lancaster county, will be received at the Com missioners Office until 2 o'clock on MONDAY, the 23rd The plan and specifications can be seen at any time at said office, previous to letting. JOHN M HIESTARD, PHILIP GEIST WM. C. WURTH, july 11-td-32

Erected by County of Lancaster.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1846.

Location. 40° 6.945′ N, 76° 25.49′ W. Marker is near Manheim, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. It is in Rapho Township. It is at the intersection of Shenck Rd and Erisman Rd, on the left when traveling north on Shenck Rd. The historic marker is located on Shenck Rd at the intersection

Shenk's Mill Bridge (1855) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pope, July 15, 2022

2. Shenk's Mill Bridge (1855) Marker

of Erisman Rd. The bridge is on Erisman Rd at the intersection of Shenck Rd. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2730 Shenck Rd, Manheim PA 17545, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: To all individuals who guard the institutions (approx. 0.9 miles away); Salunga (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Communities of Landisville and Salunga (approx. 1.1 miles away); In Honor of Those Who Served (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Salunga (approx. 1.1 miles away); Landisville (approx. 1.1 miles away); A Tribute to Amos R. Herr (approx. 1.8 miles away);

Photographed by William Pope, July 15, 2022

3. Shenk's Mill Bridge (1855) Marker

a different marker also named A Tribute to Amos R. Herr (approx. 2 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2022, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 540 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on January 2, 2023, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2022, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.