Newtown Creek Bridge
Why it's listed
Newtown Creek Bridge is a two-span stone arch bridge carrying Richoro Road over Newtown Creek in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Its overall length is 50 feet and its width 30 feet. The bridge was built in 1796 and modified in 1875, dates recorded on two stones set in the parapet walls. The late nineteenth-century work changed the parapets, but the arch keeps high original integrity. It is regarded as an important example of eighteenth-century stone bridge construction in Pennsylvania, and it is one of only three eighteenth-century stone bridges in the nominated group of Commonwealth highway bridges. The significance lies in engineering. The bridge still carries vehicles and retains stepped parapets and a wooden plank sidewalk, which give it a distinctive appearance in the small borough.
Significance in brief: The bridge was originally built in 1796 and modified in 1875, with two date stones in the parapet walls recording this history. Although the parapets were altered in the late 19th century, the arch retains high original integrity. The nomination describes it as an important representative of 18th century bridge construction in Pennsylvania, and notes that only three 18th century stone bridges are included in the nominated group.
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 88000787, listed June 22, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Richoro Rd. over Newtown Creek, Newtown |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | June 22, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000787 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1796-1875 |
| Architectural style | Stone arch |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vehicular use is recorded as present; the form notes stepped parapets and a wooden plank sidewalk as unusual features. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Newtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 40.22798, -74.93849 (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 88000787.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7020701
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.