Lenape Bridge
Why it's listed
Seven-arch stone bridge crossing Township Road 52 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, built in 1911-1912 by Corcorn Construction Co. It is constructed of random rubble masonry, with conically shaped piers and a continuous parapet, features typical of nineteenth-century turnpike bridges. The bridge measures 400 feet long and 25 feet wide, with seven spans totaling 308 feet overall and 44 feet per main span. It stands in a semi-rural setting beside Lenape Park and the Lenape Amusement Park. It was listed for its engineering significance and as an example of the twentieth-century continuation of Pennsylvania's stone bridge tradition. It is regarded as the longest stone arch bridge among the thirty-three multiple-span stone arch bridges nominated as a group. Its voussoirs are a different color from the surrounding stone, and the creek does not pass beneath it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is significant as a good example of nineteenth-century stone bridge construction carried into the twentieth century, reflecting a conscious decision to design in the historic tradition. It is also described as an important engineering achievement, being the longest stone arch bridge in the group of thirty-three multiple-span stone arch bridges nominated together.
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 88000781, listed June 22, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | PA 52 over parking lot, Lenape |
|---|---|
| County | Chester County |
| Listed | June 22, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000781 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1911-1912 |
| Architect / builder | Corcorn Construction Co. (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unaltered; in use for vehicular traffic. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.91508, -75.62936 (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 88000781.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6522239
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.