Frehn Bridge
Also known as: Huntingdon County Bridge #1
Why it's listed
Pin-connected Pratt through truss bridges of this type were once common in Pennsylvania, and the Frehn Bridge is one of fewer than ten remaining examples in Huntingdon County. The single-span structure crosses Sideling Hill Creek in southern Springfield Township and measures 120 feet long, with a 13.75-foot-wide timber deck. Its abutments and wing walls are original gravity-type concrete rather than reinforced concrete, which the nomination identifies as a sign of its early construction. The steel truss, timber deck and substructure together retain integrity of material, design and setting. The bridge sits in a rural area in the southern part of the county and is dated to around 1890. Its builder and the details of its construction are not known, as the county bridge office and commissioners' records hold no contract or history for it. It is regarded as locally important for its engineering.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is a fine example of one of fewer than ten remaining pin-connected Pratt through truss bridges in the county, likely built in the late 1800s. It retains integrity of material, design and setting, and is important locally in the area of engineering.
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 90000391, listed March 20, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Twnshp. Rt. 313, 2 mi. W of PA 475, Springfield |
|---|---|
| County | Huntingdon County |
| Listed | March 20, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000391 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | c.1890 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The bridge has been well maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.13345, -77.99102 (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 90000391.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5501328
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.