Starrucca Viaduct
Why it's listed
Built in 1847-48 across Starrucca Creek at Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, this railroad viaduct is constructed of fine-textured gray sandstone quarried nearby. It has seventeen arches, each with a fifty-foot span and twenty-foot rise, and runs 1,040 feet long and 25 feet wide, with piers founded on solid gravel beneath alluvium. Its piers and arches were rough-dressed, with draft-chiselled quoins. The bridge was designed to carry a single track and an engine and tender under fifty tons; it now carries two tracks and more than 417 tons. Construction was supervised by James P. Kirkwood after several earlier contractors failed. It is regarded as one of the earliest structural uses of concrete in American bridge building, and as one of the oldest stone railroad bridges still in service. Its tapered piers and proportions are also valued for their appearance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is one of the oldest stone railroad bridges still in use and one of the earliest structural concrete bridges in the United States, making it important to civil engineering history. It also cites its ability to carry heavier loads and traffic over time, and the visual quality of its tapered piers and arches. Its builder, James P. Kirkwood, is described as a pioneer in urban water supply and pollution 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 75001665, listed October 29, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SR 57058 over Starrucca Creek, Lanesboro |
|---|---|
| County | Susquehanna County |
| Listed | October 29, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001665 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1848 |
| Architect / builder | Julius Adams (designer, probably); James P. Kirkwood (construction supervisor) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now carries two tracks and has been altered by waterproofing, concrete deck additions and sandblasting, though its outward appearance is said to be unchanged. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.96417, -75.58358 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 75001665.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7602264
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.