Welty's Mill Bridge
Why it's listed
Welty's Mill Bridge is a two-arched limestone span built in 1856 across the East Branch of the Little Antietam Creek, south of Waynesboro in Washington Township, Franklin County. David Snively Stoner, a Waynesboro native and local builder, constructed it of coursed local limestone with carefully cut radiating voussoirs. The bridge is 137 feet long and 13 feet wide. Its south arch is higher and wider than the north, and pointed semi-pyramidal piers stand between the arches. A stone tablet on the east wall records the builder, the date and the county commissioners of the time. It is regarded as an excellent example of substantial mid-nineteenth-century stone bridge construction. Of 23 stone bridges once standing in Franklin County, only four survive, and this is the only known remaining work of Stoner in the county. Confederate troops under Jubal A. Early crossed the creek here on their way to Gettysburg in 1863. The bridge still carries traffic heavier than it was built to hold.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is an excellent example of substantial mid-nineteenth-century stone bridge construction and a monument to its builder's engineering skill, since it remains in use carrying heavier traffic than it was designed for. It is one of only four surviving stone bridges of the 23 once standing in Franklin County, and it is the only known remaining work of its builder in the county. It is also associated with Confederate troops crossing the creek on their way to Gettysburg in 1863.
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 83002246, listed January 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Waynesboro on PA 997, Waynesboro |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | January 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83002246 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1856 |
| Architect / builder | David Snively Stoner (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The bridge remains in use; it was repaired by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation after a motorist struck its east wall. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 39.73780, -77.57192 (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 83002246.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7982124
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.