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

Camelback and Market Street Bridges

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

1. Camelback and Market Street Bridges Marker

Inscription. The bridge river crossing at this spot is Harrisburg's oldest and most historic. First to be erected was the Camelback Bridge, known for its irregular and "rolling" covered bridge profile and the first bridge to ever cross the Susquehanna River that flows through three states. Authorized for construction in 1809 and completed in 1816, the Bridge's financial success as a link to the farmers of Cumberland County to its west helped to establish Harrisburg's early importance as a major transportation center. During the Civil War, the Bridge served as the "escape route" for the residents of the Cumberland Valley who were fleeing from southern troops advancing toward Harrisburg. The invasion never occurred as destiny chose Gettysburg, although skirmishes between Union and Confederate troops on Harrisburg's West Shore three miles from this site, signified the reality of the threat. Destroyed by flooding in 1902, the Bridge was replaced by the two-lane forerunner of the present-day Market Street Bridge. Graced at its Harrisburg entrance by two of the main portico columns from the Old Capitol Building, which burned in 1897, the

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Bridge harkened the advent of the City Beautiful Movement. Further enhanced in 1926, the Bridge, as we know it today, was widened to four lanes and designed with graceful stone arches as a grand gateway to Pennsylvania's Capital City.
Top Photo
Late 1800's photo of the Camelback Bridge
Center Left Photo
Unreadable
Center Right Photo
Camelback Bridge's interior captures its "rolling" bridge decking.
Bottom Photo
Harrisburg entrance of the two-lane bridge, completed in 1905, which replaced the Camelback. Note the salvaged columns from the old State Capitol.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.

Location. 40° 15.512′ N, 76° 53.005′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It is at the intersection of Market Street and Front Street on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near

Market Street Bridge with Riverfront Park in foreground. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

2. Market Street Bridge with Riverfront Park in foreground.

this postal address: 16 Market St, Harrisburg PA 17104, 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: Camel Back Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverfront Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Dauphin County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Dauphin County (within shouting distance of this marker); Governors’ Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Findlay Executive Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Shunk Executive Mansion (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Threatened Invasion of Harrisburg (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map

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of all markers in Harrisburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,809 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.