Bridge in Franconia Township facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bridge in Franconia Township
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Bridge on Allentown Road (Franconia, PA) over Skippack Creek. September 2012.
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Allentown Road over Skippack Creek, Elvoy, Franconia Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1837, 1874 |
| Architectural style | Multi-span stone arch |
| MPS | Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000856 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1988 |
The Bridge in Franconia Township is a historic stone bridge located in Franconia Township, Pennsylvania. This special bridge crosses over Skippack Creek in a small area known as Elvoy. It's a great example of old-time engineering!
This bridge was first built a long time ago in 1837. Later, it was rebuilt in 1874 to make it even stronger. It has two main sections, each about 20 feet (6 meters) long. The entire bridge stretches out to about 100 feet (30 meters) in total length.
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What Makes This Bridge Special?
A Historic Stone Arch Bridge
The Bridge in Franconia Township is known as a stone arch bridge. This means it's made from strong stones carefully placed to form arches. These arches help the bridge hold up a lot of weight and last for many, many years. Building bridges this way was very common before modern materials like steel and concrete became popular.
Built to Last: Its Construction
The first part of the bridge was finished in 1837. Imagine how different the world was back then! Roads were often dirt paths, and bridges like this were super important for travel and trade. The bridge was later improved in 1874, showing that people wanted it to keep serving the community for a long time.
Listed as a Historic Place
In 1988, the Bridge in Franconia Township was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. Being on this list means the bridge is recognized for its historical value and is protected. It's a reminder of how things were built in the past and how people traveled.
Why the National Register is Important
When a place is added to the National Register, it helps make sure it won't be torn down or changed too much. It means the bridge is a valuable part of our history and should be preserved for future generations to see and learn from. It also helps people understand the history of transportation and building in Pennsylvania.
