Near Keedysville in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hitt Bridge

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007

1. Hitt Bridge Marker

A little battered, but standing.

Inscription.
This three-arch span with its unusually high center arch was built in 1830 over a ford in the Antietam Creek that was used by Braddock's army in 1755. Samuel Hitt was instrumental in financing this bridge, which was built by Silas Harry, as agent for John Weaver, at a cost of only $1,413.66. This ford was later chosen by Hitt as the site of his grist and sawmill, now known as Pry's Mill.

Erected by Washington County Historical Advisory Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.

Location. 39° 29.272′ N, 77° 42.817′ W. Marker is near Keedysville, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Keedysville Road, on the right when traveling west. Located at the east end of the Hitt Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keedysville MD 21756, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hitt-Cost House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pry Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil War Hospital Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pry’s Mill Bridge (approx. half a mile away); History of Fairview Cemetery

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(approx. 0.6 miles away); Hess’s Mill Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away); Brandenburg Field (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Civil War Hospital Site (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Keedysville.

Regarding Hitt Bridge. The Hitt Bridge is better known as the "Upper" or "Hooker" Bridge, a significant crossing point of Antietam Creek during the Battle of Antietam.

Also see . . . The Bridges of Washington County. Arlington Magazine website entry (Submitted on March 29, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Battle of Antietam
On the day before the Battle, September 16, 1862, at around 4 p.m., Gen. Joseph Hooker's Federal I Corps crossed Antietam Creek here and just to the south at Pry's Mill Ford. This placed Hooker's men in position to the north of the Confederate line. The next day, these troops would initiate the Battle of Antietam with their early morning attack. Since the bridge was on the northern section of the battlefield, the historical name handed down has been "Upper Bridge,"

The East Approaches to the Hitt Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007

2. The East Approaches to the Hitt Bridge

and occasionally "Hooker's Bridge," instead of the more proper Hitt Bridge. The construction of this bridge is very similar to the more famous "Lower" or "Burnsides" Bridge also on the Antietam battlefield.

— Submitted October 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

The Hitt Bridge from the East Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007

3. The Hitt Bridge from the East Side

View of Hitt Bridge from the West Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 17, 2007

4. View of Hitt Bridge from the West Side

West side of Hitt Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 29, 2008

5. West side of Hitt Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,595 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on March 31, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.