Center Street Bridge

"Conneautville Bridge"

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 1, 2006

Visit HABS HAER's Page For This Historic Bridge

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Center Street Bridge	Truss	Center Street	Crawford County, PA	Conneautville	Conneaut Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Rehabilitation Date	Structure Length	Deck Width	Builder
1896	1973	79 Feet	16 Feet	Youngstown Bridge Company of Youngstown, Ohio

Note that the HABS HAER data for this bridge is not yet digitized. The fact that HABS HAER even documented this bridge demonstrates that this is one of Crawford County's most important truss bridges.

This bridge is a beautiful structure, among the finest in western Pennsylvania! The bridge is a Pratt through truss with pinned connections. The bridge consists of five panels. There is v-lacing on the verticals and sway bracing. The sidewalks on both sides of the bridge are cantilevered, and are riveted to the floorbeams in a somewhat unusual way. An otherwise short through truss, it is still decorated like a king. Plaques are mounted on the lattice portal bracing. There is a unique decorative pattern placed above the portal bracing. The railings are highly ornate from the decorative posts, to the ornate lattice and arch-like designs on the railings themselves. The design of these railing panels is not unique, but it is perhaps the least common of all railing designs, in some cases due to other examples being demolished. It is also my personal favorite railing design, retaining the beauty of the simple lattice design below, with the attractive arch pattern above. The bridge retains a great deal of historic integrity, with the only misfortune being the ugly modern railings on the bridge.

This bridge is like a fancier version of the Craig Road Bridge, which is an otherwise similar structure, having been built by the same company. The Youngstown Bridge Company seems to have been responsible for a fair number of Crawford County Bridges. Of those, the Center Street Bridge is the finest remaining example.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 1896, pin connected, single span, 79'-long, Pratt thru truss bridge is supported on concrete-filled, built up caissons. Fabricated by the Youngstown Bridge Co., the bridge stands as a remarkably complete example of its type and design with its decorative cresting and handsome cast and wrought iron railing at the cantilevered sidewalk. The trusses themselves are traditionally composed, but the lattice filled portal brace and knee braces with radiation pattern fill are characteristic of the fabricator. The bridge stands out in a rich collection of metal truss bridges in Crawford County, and it is historically and technologically significant.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries 1 lane of a 2 lane street over a stream in the borough of Conneautville. The area lacks the architectural significance and cohesiveness of a potential historic district. Many residences and commercial buildings date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but most are undistinguished or have been altered with modern siding and changed fenestration. There are also mid 20th century houses, including post-WW II residences just south of the bridge.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes