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Skinners Falls Bridge

Milanville - Skinners Falls Bridge

Skinners Falls Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: May 29, 2010

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Location
Milanville: Wayne County, Pennsylvania and Sullivan County, New York: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1901 By Builder/Contractor: American Bridge Company of New York, New York
Rehabilitation Date
1987
Main Span Length
232.0 Feet (70.7 Meters)
Structure Length
467.0 Feet (142.3 Meters)
Roadway Width
13 Feet (3.96 Meters)
Spans
2 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
631002023007390

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

This bridge's future is at risk!

Bridge Status: December 24, 2024: After being closed since 2019 and with an ongoing Section 106 Review, which included plans to non-destructively disassemble this bridge for future preservation, this bridge is now slated for imminent demolition on claims that the piers have deteriorated to a point where the bridge cannot even be safely picked with a crane for disassembly.

This bridge's song is:

December 24, 2024 -  A Special Statement About This Historic Bridge's Sudden Condemnation and Demolition By PennDOT, By HistoricBridges.org Author Nathan Holth

The Quiet Eclipse of Pennsylvania’s Heritage

For twenty years, I have watched in dismay as one of Pennsylvania’s greatest testaments to innovation and artistry—the state’s historic metal truss bridges—faded into oblivion. These bridges were more than functional crossings; they were whispers of our past, tangible expressions of human ingenuity, and living art in steel and iron. Time after time, though, the agency charged with overseeing the Commonwealth's roads and infrastructure has seemingly turned a blind eye to their value. With the abrupt, "urgent " demolition of the Skinners Falls Bridge, previously marked for non-destructive disassembly for future preservation, one of the final vestiges of hope for these icons has been extinguished. It is a denouement that speaks volumes about how readily our cultural treasures can be brushed aside.

A Journey Rooted in Preservation

My own passion for bridge history was sparked in 2003, and although being a resident of Michigan, I was inspired by the breathtaking variety of Pennsylvania’s metal truss designs—structures that stood proudly amid rolling hills, lush valleys, and winding rivers. Each bridge carried not only travelers but also stories of craftsmanship and industrial daring that spanned generations. Daniel Alward’s Disappearing Bridges website (which he abandoned years ago out of frustration of the lack of bridge preservation) first alerted me to the fragile status of these landmarks and set me on a path to create HistoricBridges.org. Over the years, I’ve walked the length and breadth of Pennsylvania, documenting, admiring, and championing these structures, ever mindful of their dwindling numbers.

A Legacy Undermined

Despite hopes that preservation policies might shield these relics of engineering brilliance, reality has been far less reassuring. The very framework intended to protect historically significant structures often seems mired in endless paperwork, bureaucratic tedium, and convenient loopholes. While a handful of smaller bridges have enjoyed a reprieve, the bigger or more complex trusses—often the most awe-inspiring—have suffered a quiet, calculated fate. The once-stately Skinners Falls Bridge, a multi-span Baltimore truss that linked Pennsylvania to New York, became the latest to vanish under the guise of "necessity."

This 1901 marvel was more than rivets and beams; it was a tapestry of Pennsylvania’s soul, woven with threads of architectural genius and human devotion. Day by day, it was left to languish, its needed maintenance shrugged aside. Then, almost predictably, came the verdict that it was beyond salvation—a story heard too often when custodianship falls short and short-term solutions prevail over preservation.

The "Emergency" That Wasn’t

The forced demolition of the Skinners Falls Bridge arrived with an air of inevitability. After years of neglect, it was alleged that the structure posed such an immediate danger that even the most delicate attempts at disassembly could not be carried out safely. This narrative has grown eerily familiar: decay left unchecked, followed by urgent pronouncements that ironically justify irreversible destruction. The common refrain claims that the bridge was simply "too far gone." Yet one cannot help but wonder whether foresight and consistent upkeep might have altered this outcome—or if the script was penned long ago.

Between the Lines

Larger undertakings typically yield bigger contracts; new construction can often be a lucrative enterprise compared to rehabilitating heritage bridges. Perhaps that economic calculus quietly nudged these projects along, overshadowing more creative alternatives. Even within the halls of decision-making, one might detect a certain reluctance—if not downright disregard—toward saving large-scale relics from a bygone era. Rarely do those in charge appear eager to explore the innovative strategies that would preserve these landmarks for future generations. The wheels of commerce and convenience spin, and in their wake, our cultural fabric is undone.

A Hollowed-Out Identity

Each demolished truss bridge chips away at Pennsylvania’s essence, leaving behind a patchwork of dull, featureless structures. Gone are the intricacies of hand-forged latticework, the stately silhouettes that reflected an era when form and function strove for balance and grace. Skinners Falls was a glimmering jewel among these relics, a shining testament to the state’s industrial heritage. Its erasure signals far more than the loss of yet another crossing—it is the silencing of a story that deserved to be told.

A Plea for Accountability

If the sudden downfall of the Skinners Falls Bridge does not rouse deeper reflection, it is difficult to see what will. The oversight that led to its neglect and ultimate undoing cannot be dismissed as a mere mistake. Vital preservation processes exist precisely to safeguard gems like these, yet they were overshadowed or overlooked when they mattered most. If we choose not to demand better, the cycle will continue, and more of Pennsylvania’s storied landmarks will slip from memory.

Final Thought

To those charged with protecting our roads and our history, know that these decisions do not pass unnoticed. A once-majestic symbol of Pennsylvania’s industrial legacy now lies in ruins, and the question remains: could this fate have been avoided? May this moment serve as a quiet but unyielding call to safeguard what remains of Pennsylvania’s heritage.

See also this news article about the bridge's fate: https://www.tricountyindependent.com/story/news/2024/12/24/penndot-plan-demolish-skinners-falls-bridge-public-reaction/77068452007/

Previous Bridge Documentation

2021 Update: Brian Beyer contacted HistoricBridges.org and provided the following updates to supplement the original narrative for this bridge:

Picking up from the article's 2010 closure for emergency repairs, the bridge was closed for emergency repairs in 2012, and then again in 2015. The weight posting was dropped a second time to 4 tons in 2013 (originally 9 tons, dropped to 7 in 2007) in an effort to spare the bridge from further damage, but PennDOT reports the new headache bars have been repeatedly vandalized to allow for taller and overweight vehicles. The bridge was ultimately closed permanently in 2019 after failing another inspection, and the bridge's future is currently unknown. Locals are fighting to restore and save the bridge, but are worried it will suffer the same fate that the nearby Pond Eddy Bridge did just a few years ago.

HistoricBridges.org will be closely following this project and advocating for preservation as this is one of the most significant bridges in both New York and Pennsylvania.

Also, it should be further noted that although this bridge was built by the newly formed American Bridge Company of New York, New York it appears to have been built at the shops of the Horseheads Bridge Company of Horseheads, New York. It displays twisted bar portal bracing knees and other details seen on bridges built by the company. It is known that Horseheads continued to operate its shops until the American Bridge company got on its feet, so the new American Bridge appears to have let its purchased companies continue to build the old company designs until standardized designs were developed by American Bridge.

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

View the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form For This Historic Bridge

View the Milanville National Register Historic District Nomination Form

View A Historical Article About The People of American Bridge Company

Overview of Bridge.

This utterly spectacular bridge would stand out as an extremely ornate, beautiful and significant metal truss bridge if it were located even in the most truss-dense region in the country. However, located in a region that has relatively few historic metal truss bridges compared to surrounding regions and counties, this bridge's local rarity and importance cannot be understated. A contributing resource to the Milanville National Register Historic District, this bridge is also individually listed on the National Register of Historic Bridges, as well it should be. The bridge is historically and technologically significant. This bridge is an extremely rare example of a multi-span pin-connected Baltimore truss bridge. It is among the oldest known bridges associated with the American Bridge Company, having been built shortly after the company's formation. The bridge is also ornately decorated, including portal knee bracing decoration, portal cresting, decorative builder plaque. There are also original lattice railings that are 20 inches in height and which feature beautiful decorative flower motifs. This is to say nothing of the geometric beauty of the complex Baltimore truss configuration combined with the complexity of the riveted built-up beams that contain v-lacing and lattice. The complexities and decorations of the bridge are kept in balance by the very lightweight and unconstructive appearance of the bridge's trusses. Some of the largest elements on the bridge are the top chord and end posts, which measure approximately 14 inches wide and 10 inches deep. The current light grey paint color on the bridge compliments and enhances the overall aesthetics of the bridge, with the light color furthering the airy qualities of the bridge.

 Although the bridge has received repairs and rehabilitations over its life, many of the alterations are sensitive to the original design of the bridge, and they do not affect the overall visual quality of the bridge. Alterations include minor welded repairs and replacements (most executed in a reasonably tasteful manner) and replacement of rivets with bolts on some areas of the bridge. Armco guardrails were added to the bridge, although the original lattice railings remain.

Although a considerable distance apart from each other, one cannot help but think of the historic Pond Eddy Bridge when looking at this bridge. Both Upper Delaware River bridges are rare examples of a subdivided Pratt truss design, both are pin-connected, both are two-span, and both are stunningly beautiful. Both of these bridges deserve a complete and full commitment to preservation on the part of PennDOT, the owner agency.

History of the Bridge

This webpage as well as this page describes the history of the bridge as well as the 1986 rehabilitation of the bridge as well as other restoration work which took place at that time. This resource also cites an out of print resource, Crossing the Delaware Via Toll Bridges (Narrowsburg: Delaware Valley Press, 1970, p. 15) as a good source for information. Much of the history of this bridge is derived from that publication.

The Skinners Falls Bridge was originally built to serve the needs of lumbering efforts in the area. There was a mill near the site built by Timothy Skinner and Simeon Calkins. Milton Skinner had operated a ferry in the area but decided a bridge would be better and he formed the Milanville Bridge Company and got a charter to build a bridge from New York State.

This bridge was built by the American Bridge Company of New York, New York, with construction apparently beginning in 1901, the date listed on the plaque. The bridge was completed in November 1902. The cost was $14,000. Because the American Bridge Company was formed in 1900, this makes the Skinners Falls Bridge one of the oldest remaining American Bridge Company bridges in existence. It also is one of the only bridges remaining built by the company before it became a subsidiary of US Steel in 1902.

This bridge had a rough start to its history, since in Spring 1904, icy floods picked up the New York span and carried it to near the location of Skinners Falls. According to Crossing the Delaware Via Toll Bridges, either Oswego Bridge Company or Horseheads Bridge Company who for $7000 "used the girders from the damaged section to make the repairs." The exact meaning of this statement is unclear: whether this was more of a repair or a replacement project. The $7000 cost is half the cost of the total construction two years earlier, so it suggests a substantial effort of some type. Either way, today, the two spans appear identical and no evidence of severe flood damage is notable on the trusses. Further, the bridge was apparently reopened fairly quickly, by Fall of 1904. The bridge's construction was initiated by the Milanville Bridge Company, who operated the bridge until 1922 when the Interstate Bridge Commission bought the bridge, with PennDOT, then the Pennsylvania Department of Highways, taking jurisdiction of the bridge. In 1936, the bridge became the full property of PennDOT.

A Lost Plaque Is Found

Apparently, the bridge's plaque was taken or fell off of the bridge long ago and remained separated for the bridge for many years. Sometime, between 1972 and 1975 the plaque was discovered buried under several inches of dirt on a downstream property located about 500 feet from the bridge. It is not known how the plaque ended up there. Some people have suggested that when one of the spans was washed off the substructure that it might have broken off at that time. Whether true or not, this claim is not substantiated by any facts. Either way, the happy ending to the story is that in 1992 the bridge plaque was mounted back upon the bridge, after decades of bridge having no plaque at all. This effort was led by local residents as well as the Upper Delaware Heritage Alliance.

Major Rehabilitation in 1986 and 1987

The bridge was extensively rehabilitated in 1986-1987, which appears to be the most recent major project. Details of the 1986/1987 rehabilitation are presented here. The intent of the rehabilitation was not to raise the nine ton weight limit present at the time, but to allow for this weight limit to be maintained.

Work included replacing some pins, strengthening of floor beams and stringers, replacement of guard rails. The wooden deck was replaced in kind and the bridge was also repainted. The project was completed during a single construction season. The rehabilitation was completed without any serious adverse effects to the historic bridge, meaning no drastic alterations were done.

2010 "Emergency" Repairs And Future of the Bridge

By 2010, 23 years after the bridge was last painted or rehabilitated, the condition of the bridge had deteriorated. As such, PennDOT initiated "emergency repairs." The scope of work was as follows:

Proposed Scope of Work: The proposed scope of emergency repairs addresses severe deterioration and loss of material in the area of connection between the lower chord (eye bars) and the diagonal end post on the upstream Pennsylvania side of the truss. A concrete patch was applied to the area in the early 1970s to prevent further buckling of the member. Some of this concrete will be removed to fully access the failing portion of the member. An approximately 6" long section of the lower chord at the point of connection with the diagonal end post is deteriorated past a critical point. A 1/2" thick steel plate shaped to match the eye bar (lower chord) will be added to the inside face of the existing eye bars. The plate will either be welded or bolted to the existing eye bars. Any intact plates removed during repairs will be reset when the project is completed.

Given PennDOT's striking lack of historic bridge preservation elsewhere in Pennsylvania, it is wonderful to see PennDOT working to repair and maintain this historic bridge so it can continue to be functional and safe, while also maintaining the shear beauty and history of this bridge. HistoricBridges.org is happy to see this, and hopes that PennDOT will continue to support the continued preservation of this important resource. It is also worth noting that PennDOT designed the repairs to be respectful of the historic integrity of the bridge, such that the repairs do not have an adverse effect on the historic structure.

The 2010 project was described as "emergency repairs," which means that while the project has been beneficial in maintaining the function and safety of this historic bridge, it is still prudent to consider what the long-term future of this historic bridge is. HistoricBridges.org strongly hopes that PennDOT will continue to recognize the value of this bridge, as well as the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of preserving this bridge for the foreseeable future. Many engineers are often unaware that preserving historic bridges is more cost-effective than replacement. The key is to hire firms who know how to work with historic bridges, and also for the owner agency to commit to low-cost routine maintenance of the bridge following rehabilitation. PennDOT has already demonstrated an interest in ending its old habit of deferring maintenance and letting bridges deteriorate. While this interest has initially presented itself in PennDOT's wish to build new bridges with a 100 year bridge life, a similar attention to routine maintenance and repairs when applied to a newly rehabilitated historic bridge, would yield a similarly impressive post-rehabilitation service for the historic bridge.

Indeed, it is likely that the bridge would benefit from a rehabilitation sometime during the next decade. The bridge could be rehabilitated in a manner similar to what was done in 1986, which one might predict would yield perhaps another similar 25 years of faithful service, and perhaps longer with a more aggressive attention to maintenance. Alternatively, a full comprehensive rehabilitation/restoration project with the intention of returning the bridge to the quality and condition it was when first built early in the 20th Century, could offer 50-100+ years of service life. The work would be more extensive, perhaps requiring the careful dismantling of the bridge's parts to be restored in a shop setting. There, parts could be cleaned, repaired, and even replicated when needed. Shop work would include pad welding for section loss, riveting, hammering pack rust out, and heat straightening. These techniques might sound complicated and difficult, but are actually quite straightforward and very cost effective. Learn more about them here.

With the right attention and commitment, the Skinners Falls Bridge has a very bright and long future ahead of it.

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Skinners Falls Bridge

 

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Structure Overview

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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Structure Details

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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View Photo Gallery

Structure Overview

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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View Photo Gallery

Structure Details

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

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View Video

Crossing The Bridge From New York To Pennsylvania

Full Motion Video
Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

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Maps and Links: Skinners Falls Bridge

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HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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