Old State Road Bridge
Also known as: Bin #3-335596-0
Why it's listed
Spanning the AuSable River in the hamlet of AuSable Chasm, this one-lane steel Pratt pony truss bridge dates to about 1890. It measures 107 feet in a continuous span with a central stone pier, and a cantilevered walkway on the west side offers a view of Rainbow and Horseshoe Falls. Its builder and exact date are unknown. The bridge replaced a succession of wooden crossings whose timbers decayed in the damp mist from the falls. It was built as local industry declined and tourism grew. Until the 1930s it carried NYS Route 9, a major north-south route, but increasing automobile and truck traffic made its light-load, single-lane design obsolete. Route 9 was realigned and the 1932 AuSable Chasm Bridge took over through traffic. The older bridge has since served local traffic only. It was listed for its engineering value as a well-preserved late-19th century truss and for its role in local and regional transportation.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an intact, well-preserved example of late-19th century bridge engineering and construction. It also played a role in local and regional transportation, linking the hamlet across the river and carrying a major north-south route until the 1930s.
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 99001319, listed November 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Co. Rt. 17B over AuSable R., AuSable Chasm |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | November 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001319 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | c.1890-1948 |
| Architectural style | Pratt pony truss bridge (steel) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still carries local traffic as a secondary crossing; original wood deck replaced with steel grating but otherwise retains much of its original appearance and integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.52358, -73.45976 (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 99001319.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7085090
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.