Frankford Avenue Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Frankford Avenue Bridge
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location |  US 13 (Frankford Avenue) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1697 |
| MPS | Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000803 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1988 |
The Frankford Avenue Bridge, also called the Pennypack Creek Bridge, is a very old bridge. It was built way back in 1697! You can find it in the Holmesburg area of Northeast Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. This makes it the oldest roadway bridge still standing in the United States.
This stone bridge has three arches and is about 73 feet (22 meters) long. It carries Frankford Avenue (U.S. Route 13) over Pennypack Creek. The bridge is located inside Pennypack Park.
In 1970, the bridge was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This was done by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
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Building the Oldest Bridge
The Frankford Avenue Bridge was built because William Penn asked for it. He wanted a way to connect his home to the new city of Philadelphia. The bridge became a super important part of the King's Highway. This was a main road that linked Philadelphia with cities like Trenton, New York, and Boston.
In 1683, a law was passed in Pennsylvania. It said that bridges needed to be built over all rivers and creeks along the King's Highway. These bridges had to be finished within 18 months. They were designed to be ten feet wide and have railings on both sides. Local men were expected to help build them.
In 1970, the bridge won an award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. This was for being an amazing engineering achievement. A special bronze plaque was placed on the bridge to remember this honor.
Famous Travelers Who Crossed the Bridge
Many important people used the Frankford Avenue Bridge long ago. Anyone traveling to Philadelphia from the northern colonies would cross it. This included leaders like John Adams from Massachusetts. He was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses.
In 1789, George Washington himself crossed this bridge. He was on his way to his very first presidential inauguration. This big event took place in New York.
Keeping the Bridge Strong
Over the years, the Frankford Avenue Bridge has been improved many times. In 1803, the bridge's surface was paved with macadam. This was a new type of road material. A toll booth was also put at the south end of the bridge. People had to pay a fee to cross. This toll booth stayed open until 1892. That's when the city of Philadelphia bought the road.
The bridge was made wider in 1893 to make room for streetcars. These streetcars started running in 1895. It was widened again in 1950 to handle more cars. The bridge is still used today! It was also rebuilt in 2018 to keep it strong and safe.
Special Recognitions
The Frankford Avenue Bridge has received important honors. In 1970, the American Society of Civil Engineers named it a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This shows how important its design and construction were. In 1988, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This helps protect its history for future generations.
