Bedford Creek Bridge
Why it's listed
Built around 1825 of local limestone, this single-span arch bridge carries Campbell's Point Road over Bedford Creek in southwestern Hounsfield. The arch spans 18 feet six inches and is laid in irregular courses of rubble masonry, with solid rails capped by large limestone slabs held by metal clamps. Reflected in the creek, the arch appears as a complete circle. The bridge was part of the old Henderson Road, which carried goods such as potash, bricks and lumber from Jewettville and Sackets Harbor toward Henderson and points south. Trade declined after the Erie Canal opened and Jewettville faded by 1850, but the resort economy that grew after 1875 gave the crossing new use, serving Campbell's Point's cottages and boardinghouses. In the 1930s Route 3 was realigned to bypass it, which reduced traffic and helped preserve it. It is described as the only masonry arch bridge in the Hounsfield hinterland and a rare example in Jefferson County.
Significance in brief: It is a distinctive example of nineteenth-century vernacular stone arch bridge construction and an extremely rare surviving one in Jefferson County. It is also significant for transportation, since it linked Jewettville and Sackets Harbor with Henderson and points south, and later served the Campbell's Point resort community.
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 89001617, listed October 18, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Campbell's Point Rd. over Bedford Creek, Hounsfield |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | October 18, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001617 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Vernacular stone arch bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition stated as good; still used as a bridge, maintained by the Jefferson County Highway Department, and mainly serves access to Campbell's Point cottages and homes. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.90907, -76.11971 (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 89001617.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4879133
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.