Runk Bridge
Also known as: Huntingdon County Bridge #9
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 by the Pittsburgh Bridge Company, the Runk Bridge is a two-span, pin-connected steel Pratt through truss spanning Aughwick Creek. Its total length is 267.5 feet, and a 13-foot-wide yellow pine deck rests on wooden stringers. The bridge has one concrete pier and high concrete abutments covered with lime and cement plaster. It carries Township Road 373 at the intersection with Township Road 380 in a rural part of Huntingdon County, roughly a mile and a half south of Shirleysburg. Local records identify it as Bridge No. 9 in the county system. It is regarded as one of the county's few surviving pin-connected Pratt through trusses from the late nineteenth century. Its engineering design is considered locally important, and its materials, design and setting remain largely intact. The bridge is also a visible landmark beside the East Broad Top Railroad, a National Historic Landmark, and U.S. Route 522.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is a fine example of the county's few remaining pin-connected Pratt through truss bridges from the late 1800s. It is considered locally significant in engineering and retains integrity of material, design and setting.
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 90000408, listed March 20, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Over Aughwick Creek, 1 mi. S of Shirleysburg off US 522, Shirleysburg |
|---|---|
| County | Huntingdon County |
| Listed | March 20, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000408 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1889 |
| Architect / builder | Pittsburgh Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Other: Pratt Truss Bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The bridge has been well maintained and retains its integrity of material, design and setting. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.27796, -77.88701 (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 90000408.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7379889
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.