Carpenter's Flats Bridge
Also known as: Bin # 1005950
Why it's listed
Carrying NYS Route 9 over the AuSable River about two miles north of AuSable Chasm, this 255-foot steel Warren through truss bridge was built in 1941 by the American Bridge Company from plans by New York State Public Works Department engineers. Its riveted steel members, concrete abutments and two lanes reflect a standard design of the period. Until 1913 the broad, shallow river here was crossed only by a ford. The AuSable Chasm Company paid for a first bridge that year, expecting more automobile tourists. By the 1930s, rising car and truck traffic led to a replacement. Route 9 was a main north-south road through the eastern Adirondack and Lake Champlain region until Interstate 87 opened in 1967. The bridge was altered in 1994 with new railings, floor beams and a concrete deck, yet retains a high level of integrity. It is significant for its transportation role and as a well-preserved example of mid-20th century engineering.
Significance in brief: The bridge is described as an intact, well-preserved example of mid-20th century bridge engineering and construction. It is also significant for its role in regional transportation, carrying a major north-south highway through the eastern Adirondack and Lake Champlain region. It belongs to a multiple property group of historic AuSable River Valley bridges.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99001321, listed November 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 9 over AuSable R., AuSable |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | November 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001321 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1941-1948 |
| Architect / builder | American Bridge Company (fabricator and builder); plans prepared by engineers at the New York State Public Works Department |
| Architectural style | Warren steel truss bridge (Warren through truss with polygonal top chord) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still carries vehicular traffic as a transportation use; altered in 1994 with new railings, steel floor beams and a reinforced concrete deck, and all existing metal sandblasted and painted. Described as retaining a high level of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.55884, -73.44861 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99001321.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5045653
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.