Waterville Bridge
Why it's listed
Built in 1890 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin, Connecticut, this single-span lenticular truss bridge measures 221 feet in length. Its name comes from the lens-like curves of its upper and lower chords. The pin-connected steel truss is built from channels, angles, eyebars and lacing bars, and its portals are notably ornamental. The bridge originally carried State Route 44 across Little Pine Creek in Waterville, a rural village in Lycoming County where the creek cuts a narrow gorge through the Appalachian Mountains. It is regarded as an excellent example of this uncommon truss type. In 1985 the bridge was dismantled, with each member numbered, cleaned by sandblasting, reinforced where needed and primed. It was then reassembled on new abutments over Swatara Creek for use as a pedestrian crossing on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. A new wooden deck was installed, and the width of the original was kept. The bridge was saved from demolition during a state highway replacement project.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is an excellent example of the uncommon lenticular truss type, named for the lens-like shape of its curved chords. It also has unusually ornamental portals. The form cites engineering significance under Criterion C and notes that relocation saved the bridge from demolition during a PennDOT replacement project.
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 88002171, listed November 14, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Appalachian Trail over Swatara Creek, Swatara Gap |
|---|---|
| County | Lebanon County |
| Listed | November 14, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002171 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1890 |
| Architect / builder | Berlin Iron Bridge Company, East Berlin (builder/contractor) |
| Architectural style | Lenticular truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | National, State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Moved in 1985 and re-erected as a pedestrian bridge on the Appalachian Trail; members numbered, dismantled and reassembled |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.48035, -76.53161 (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 88002171.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7974541
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.