Phoenixville in Chester County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Doty Road Bridge
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 16, 2025
1. The Doty Road Bridge Marker
The Doty Road Phoenix Column Bridge was manufactured by the Phoenix Bridge Company in 1891. Originally located twenty miles northwest of New York City, the bridge carried vehicles over the Ramapo River, near Oakland, New Jersey, for over a century. It was named for the Doty family who were early settlers in the area.
The Phoenix Bridge Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company. A catalog was created by the company so that communities across the USA and Canada could easily order a pre-fabricated bridge since various specifications such as the width, span, and load-bearing capacity were all options listed in the catalog.
The Doty Road Bridge was a five-panel, 80 span that used wrought iron Phoenix Columns.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation replaced the bridge in 2001. It offered to bring this historic bridge to the winning recipient of a grant being offered for this purpose. The Phoenixville Area Economic Development Corporation submitted the winning application, and the bridge was returned to the place where it had originally been built.
The current bridge spanning the French Creek has used original Phoenix Columns from the Doty Road Bridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location.
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Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia. 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, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Story Told By The Mural (a few steps from this marker); Phoenix Iron Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Phoenix Iron & Steel Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Symbols of Steel Sculpture Garden (about 400 feet away); Foundry Building (about 500 feet away); 1871 Phoenix Column Bridge (about 600 feet away); Phoenixville War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Phoenixville Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phoenixville.
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 16, 2025
2. The Doty Road Bridge Marker
Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 16, 2025
3. The Doty Road Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 74 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
