Stone Arch Bridge
Why it's listed
Spanning the East Branch Callicoon Creek near Kenoza Lake in Sullivan County, this three-arch stone bridge was built around 1873 by German immigrant brothers Henry Hembdt, a stonemason, and Philip Hembdt, a carpenter. The arches and upstream ice breakers are mortared hand-cut native stone, while the rest of the structure is dry masonry. Wooden forms supported the arches during construction, which removed the need for a specially cut keystone. It replaced a wooden bridge that collapsed under a load of hemlock bark bound for a tannery. The bridge carried traffic on a road that supported settlement, mail delivery, farming, timbering and tanning until it closed in 1955 and a new bridge was built downstream. It is the last remaining three-arch masonry bridge in the Upper Delaware watershed and was built when stone had largely given way to wood and iron. Concrete bases were added for stabilization, and it now anchors a county park.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a fine surviving example of vernacular bridge construction and the last remaining three-arch masonry bridge in the Upper Delaware watershed. It reflects the traditional craft skills of its German immigrant builders and was built when stone had fallen out of favor for bridges. It also stood on a route important to settlement, mail delivery, and the farming, lumber and tanning economy.
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 76001285, listed December 12, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Kenoza Lake on NY 52, Kenoza Lake |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | December 12, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001285 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Henry & Philip Hembdt |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | No longer used for automobile traffic; closed in 1955 when a new bridge was built downstream. It is the focal point of a county park and is in fair condition, with concrete bases added for stabilization. |
| Acreage | 4.4 |
| Coordinates | 41.74804, -74.95367 (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 76001285.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7618861
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.