Eshelman Mill Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The single span, 112'-long, pin-connected, Pratt thru truss is supported on concrete abutments. It is traditionally composed of built-up members of standard steel sections for the upper chords and verticals, and eyebars for the lower chords and diagonals. It has rolled floorbeams with U-shaped hangers carrying steel stringers and an open steel grid deck placed in 1970. Welded channel railings are set to the inside of the trusses. According to county records and the bridge plaque, the truss bridge was moved and reassembled at this location in 1933. Its original location and date of construction are unknown, but it dates by style to ca. 1900. It has no unusual or distinctive details that would identify its fabricator. The pin-connected Pratt truss type/design was popular for use with local roads in Pennsylvania from the 1880s to about 1910. It had reached a high degree of standardization by the late 1890s. This example has no features that are not represented by earlier, more complete, and better documented examples in the region. It is not historically or technologically distinguished by its setting or context.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road over a stream in a rural setting with scattered late 19th to late 20th century houses. To the west is an entrance to Lancaster County Central Park with modern picnic areas. At the eastern quadrant is a late 19th century picturesque vernacular brick house and beyond that an area of prefabricated modern houses. The setting does not have the cohesivenesss or integrity of a historic district.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No