Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

1. Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge Marker

Inscription. The coming of the railroad to Harrisburg in 1836 led to the construction of the first bridges to span the Susquehanna, since the building of the Camelback Bridge in 1817, which planted the seed for what would become the city's trademark of distinctive river crossings. The Cumberland Valley Railroad was one of several infant railroads, prior to being consolidated with the Pennsylvania Railroad in the mid 19th Century, to emanate from Harrisburg, helping to make the city become one of the nation's principal rail centers. The Railroad's first rail crossing, a wooden covered bridge, was erected here in 1839. The original structure was destroyed by fire in 1844, rebuilt in 1846 and renovated and upgraded in 1856, 1872 and 1885. In 1887, the old wooden covered span was replaced by an open iron truss bridge, which by then served dozens of trains daily. The present concrete structure was completed c. 1916. Although abandoned for rail use over the past several decades, the bridge is poised to be the principal crossing for the Corridor One rail commuter system to serve the renewed rail needs of the metropolitan area and of Harrisburg's

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west shore. Immediately to the south of the Cumberland Valley Bridge, a similar iron truss structure was erected in 1891 by the Reading Railroad Company, originally known as the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company. The existing graceful-arched concrete mate to the Cumberland Valley Bridge replaced the iron truss bridge in 1922. These bridges and their predecessors established the routes of the mighty railroads through Harrisburg, ensuring that the Capital City was a principal junction for the flow of the nation's commerce and trade.
Top Photo
Circa 1900 postcard view of iron truss bridge later replaced by the existing concrete structure.
Bottom Photo
Pre-1887 view of the old covered bridge later replaced by the iron truss structure.

Erected by The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), and the Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 40° 15.42′ N,

Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008

2. Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge

76° 52.835′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is on South Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Between Chestnut and Mary Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 S Front St, Harrisburg PA 17101, 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 walking distance of this marker: Harrisburg Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); John Harris, Sr. (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Native Nations of the Susquehanna Valley (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Native Nations of the Susquehanna Valley

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(about 500 feet away); The Court House Bell (about 500 feet away); John Harris, Sr., and the Mulberry Tree (about 500 feet away); In Memory of John Harris (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named John Harris (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,156 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2011, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.