Conodoguinet Creek facts for kids
Conodoguinet Creek is a long stream, about 104 miles (167 kilometers) long, located in south-central Pennsylvania in the United States. It flows into the Susquehanna River. The name "Conodoguinet" comes from a Native American language and means "A Long Way with Many Bends." This name perfectly describes the creek, which winds and turns a lot on its journey.
The creek joins the Susquehanna River just north of Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania.
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About Conodoguinet Creek
Conodoguinet Creek is an important waterway in its region. It helps form a natural border between two valleys: the Hagerstown Valley and the Cumberland Valley. This creek has been important for people living nearby for a long time.
What the Creek Flows Past
As Conodoguinet Creek travels, it passes by many interesting places.
- It flows past old mills, like Maclay's Mill, which were once busy places where grain was ground into flour.
- The famous Appalachian Trail, a very long hiking path, crosses the creek near the town of Carlisle.
Bridges Over the Creek
Many bridges have been built over Conodoguinet Creek to help people cross it. Some of these bridges are very old and have interesting stories.
Historic Bridges
- The Ramp Covered Bridge is a special covered bridge that still stands today. It crosses Conodoguinet Creek in Hopewell Township, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Covered bridges are unique because they have roofs and walls, looking like tunnels.
- In the past, there were four more wooden covered bridges over the creek.
- Two of these, named "Good Hope Mill" and "Watts Bridge," were unfortunately destroyed by big storms.
- The other three, "Erb's," "Orr's," and "Oyster Mill," became very old and were replaced with new, strong concrete bridges.
- Watts Bridge, near a place called Creekside, was also replaced by a concrete bridge in the 1980s or 1990s. The Good Hope Mill bridge was never rebuilt after it was destroyed.
Modern Bridges
- Wolfs Bridge is a steel bridge in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County. It crosses the creek near Schlusser. This bridge needed to be replaced because it was getting old. A new concrete bridge was finished in late 2020 or early 2021.
- The Silver Spring Bridge in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, was once a covered bridge. It was destroyed by a big flood from Hurricane Agnes in June 1972. A newer bridge on Rich Valley Road was already being used for most traffic before the old one was destroyed.
