Blairsville in Indiana County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Bridges Over Conemaugh River at Blairsville

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 12, 2025

1. Bridges Over Conemaugh River at Blairsville Marker

Inscription.
Bridges over Conemaugh River at Blairsville on Northern Turnpike now William Penn Highway

First Bridge
Erected 1821-1823
by Conemaugh Bridge Company
Longest single arch in United States - 300 feet
Toll bridge until 1865 - fell 1874

Second Bridge
Erected 1874-1875
Steel on same abutments
Destroyed by Johnstown Flood May 31, 1889

Third Bridge
Erected 1889
Steel on same abutments
Abandoned 1935

This Bridge
Erected 1934-1935
By the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania north of old site

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is May 31, 1889.

Location. 40° 25.843′ N, 79° 16.173′ W. Marker is in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, in Indiana County. It is on West Market Street west of North Water Street, on the right when traveling west. Plaque is mounted on the inclined end post of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blairsville PA 15717, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

It is also in the American Northeast,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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 walking distance of this marker: The Kidnapping of Richard Newman (within shouting distance of this marker); Blairsville Area Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pennsylvania Mainline Canal Port of Blairsville (about 500 feet away); Fugitive Slave Rescue (about 600 feet away); Samuel McCune Safehouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chester C. Davis and the Kidnapping of 1858 (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Rectory (approx. ¼ mile away); George Wilkinson and the Kidnapping of 1858 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blairsville.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 12, 2025

2. Bridges Over Conemaugh River at Blairsville Marker

Bairdstown/Blairsville Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 12, 2025

3. Bairdstown/Blairsville Bridge

The current William Penn Highway is approximately one-half mile north of this location (US Route 119).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 25, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.