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

Warren Suspension Bridge

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2015

1. Warren Suspension Bridge Marker

Inscription. Construction of the suspension bridge on this site began in the early summer of 1871 and the bridge opened for use in November that year. The total cost for the structure was nearly $45,000 and tolls were collected for about 25 years. Workmen are shown here building the north abutment against a background of lumber rafts which were stranded in the eddy owing to a very low stage of water in the spring. Across the Allegheny River is Warren's south side, then undeveloped except for Oakland Cemetery and scattered farms. Built by Elmira, New York, contractor George W. Fishler, the new bridge was to change all that, for it made possible rapid settlement of land formerly accessible only by ferry or by crossing the ice in winter. Until 1900, when the Warren Emergency Hospital was built there, a portion of the south side west of the bridge was occupied by the Warren County fair grounds. In the middle of the river, beyond the rafts, are the remains of the covered bridge at Hazel Street, which stood only from 1839 to 1855. In the far distance, on the north bank, is the Revere House, an early railroad hotel next to the tracks and passenger

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station of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. Just to the left of this scene, on the foot of the island (Warren's first manufacturing district) was Rathbun's wharf, the town landing throughout much of the nineteenth century for keelboats, flatboats and steamboats plying the Allegheny on high water during the late winter and spring navigation season.

Erected 1998 by Warren County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 41° 50.665′ N, 79° 8.953′ W. Marker is in Warren, Pennsylvania, in Warren County. It can be reached from the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue West and Hickory Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Warren PA 16365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania

and specifically in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 22, 2015

2. Warren Suspension Bridge Marker

and Hickory Bridge in the background

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: JAZz Amphitheatre (a few steps from this marker); Celoron's Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers and Sailors Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Point"... Yesterday and Today! (within shouting distance of this marker); Lumber Rafting (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Honor (about 500 feet away); Under Three Flags (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warren.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,459 times since then and 101 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.