Wampum Bridge - Wampum PA

An early drawing of the settlement of Wampum (far side) and Lower Chewton from about 1877. You can see the old Wampum Bridge, which was built to span the the Beaver River ten years prior in 1867. A railroad bridge would be constructed alongside the pedestrian bridge in 1884 (and replaced in 1897), creating a various dangerous obstruction of the oncoming trains of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad (P&LE). The newer Wampum Bridge would be built further north – towards the right of this photo – in 1928.

A view of the old Wampum Bridge during the Great Flood of March 1913. (See the page of NEW CASTLE – Great Flood of 1913 for more information.) This photo shows the raging waters of the Beaver River actually lapping over the deck of the bridge. Despite fears of the worst this bridge somehow held and remained intact. Not so lucky were the four bridges in New Castle that collapsed and fell into the Shenango River on March 26-27, 1913. This photo clearly illustrates the close proximity of the angled railroad bridge.

Another photo of the old Wampum Bridge during the flooding on March 27, 1913. The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (P&LE) Railroad freight house is visible on left.

The second Wampum Bridge, constructed as part of a larger project that included the new Chewton Bridge (or B&O Viaduct), opened in mid-December 1928. A formal ceremony was held on February 7, 1929. The Wampum Bridge was the perfect example of a viaduct, as it spanned a service road in Chewton, the Beaver River, and the P&LE tracks in Wampum. The two new bridges finally eliminated the dangerous at-grade railroad crossings on both sides of the river. (c1955)

The bridge underwent a major rehabilitation effort in the 1950’s. It was closed in early April 1957, as much of the deck and supports were replaced. Several issues delayed its completion including a strike at the Medusa Cement Company (which was supplying concrete) and a lack of welders. It was finally reopened to traffic on Tuesday, December 1, 1959. (Nov 1957)

Local residents celebrate the re-opening of the Wampum Bridge. During its lengthy closure (20 months) motorists had to detour to the Koppel Bridge or the West Pittsburg Bridge. (Dec 1959)

The truss-style bridge, opened in 1929 and rehabilitated in 1957-1959, was in use for many years and was slated for complete replacement in the late 1980’s. The Conn Construction Company of New Castle was contracted to complete the $2.5 million project, which was 80% funded by the federal government. The bridge was closed in late May 1989 as the work of demolishing the existing structure commenced. It appears that some of the original piers were left in place and reinforced, but the entire deck structure was replaced. The new concrete deck bridge was opened in February 1990. State Representative Frank LaGrotta speaks to a crowd of spectators at the reopening ceremony held on the afternoon of Thursday, February 8, 1990. (Feb 1990)

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