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

Walnut Street Bridge

Photographed by William Pfingsten, April 12, 2008

1. Walnut Street Bridge Marker

Inscription. Oldest surviving bridge over the Susquehanna. Opened by the People's Bridge Co. in 1890. "Old Shakey," one of the last remaining multi-span Phoenix truss bridges, was a toll bridge until 1957. Flood damage, 1972, closed it to automobiles. Three of its 15 spans were destroyed, 1996.

Erected 1996 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 40° 15.333′ N, 76° 53.274′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It can be reached from Walnut Street. Marker is at the City Island end of The People's Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 245 Championship Way, 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: City Island (here, next to this marker); Harrisburg Giants (within shouting distance of this marker); Evolution of Harrisburg's Skyline (approx. 0.2 miles away); The People’s Bridge

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.3 miles away); Explore the Capital Area Greenbelt (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Walnut Street Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The People’s Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Riverfront Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Wide view of the Walnut Street Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 29, 2010

2. Wide view of the Walnut Street Bridge Marker

Bridge is open to pedestrians and bikes only. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Pfingsten, April 12, 2008

3. Bridge is open to pedestrians and bikes only.

Walnut Street Bridge (1890) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, August 29, 2010

4. Walnut Street Bridge (1890)

Looking from City Island, this section of the Walnut Street Bridge crosses the Susquehanna River from downtown Harrisburg to the parks and recreational areas on City Island.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,186 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 14, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 30, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 14, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on August 30, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.