Chadds Ford Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The skewed, 21'-long stone arch bridge, built ca. 1913, has fieldstone spandrel walls and parapets. It is supported on stone abutments. The intrados is pargetted. It is a short and undistinguished example of a bridge type that is common from the first two decades of the 20th century in Chester County. The county-built traditional stone arch bridges were favored by the county engineer, and at least 19 similar bridges from 1908 to 1919 have been identified. Stone arch bridges have been in use in Pennsylvania since the late 17th century, and over 350 examples have been identified statewide, with more than two-thirds dating to before 1900. Early 20th century examples in Chester County are considered individually significant in the local context only when they are complete and large or particularly well detailed. This example is not historically or technologically distinguished within its population or by its setting and context.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in an area of early 20th century gentleman's estates built to incorporate preexisting 19th-century farmsteads. Modern residential subdivisions are interspersed. A horse barn and estate complex is located more than 500' northwest of the bridge. The estate is enclosed by a stone wall, which is contiguous with the bridge's wingwall parapet at the northwest corner. The stonework is, however, clearly of two different generations. The estate may have individual architectural or historic significance, but the bridge on a previously existing public road is not historically associated. The bridge's eastern quadrants are wooded. At the southwest quadrant is an intersection with a local road.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes