Casselman Bridge

Casselman's Bridge, National Road
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Nearest city:	Grantsville, Maryland
Coordinates:	39°41′48″N 79°8′37″W
Built:	1813
Architect:	Unknown
Architectural style:	Other
Governing body:	Local
NRHP Reference#:	66000391
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL:	29 January 1964

Casselman River Bridge State Park
Maryland State Park
Casselman River Bridge in 1933
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Garrett
Elevation	2,113 ft (644 m)
Coordinates	39°41′48″N 79°08′37″W
Area	4 acres (1.6 ha)
Owner	Maryland Department of Natural Resources
IUCN category	V - Protected Landscape/Seascape
Nearest city	Grantsville, Maryland
Location of Casselman River Bridge State Park in Maryland
Website: Casselman River Bridge State Park

Casselman Bridge, also known as Casselmans Bridge or Castleman's Bridge, was completed in 1811 and opened for traffic in 1813 to carry the National Road across the Casselman River near Grantsville in western Maryland. The bridge was built to aid in the westward movement through the wilderness west of Cumberland. The 354 feet (108 m) long stone arch bridge spans 48 feet (15 m) with a 30-foot (9.1 m) high arch.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

It is located 0.5 miles (0.80 km) east of Grantsville, Maryland beside what is now US 40. While highway traffic no longer crosses the bridge, it remains in good condition.

A historic marker is posted on both ends of the bridge and reads:

"Erected 1813 by David Shriver, Jr., Sup't of the "Cumberland Road" (The National Road). This 80 foot span was the largest stone arch in America at the time. It was continuously used from 1813 to 1933."

Rehabilitation and Preservation

In the 1940s and early 1950s efforts were made to preserve the bridge. Sections of the bridge had started to crumble and fall apart. The bridge was patched and preserved as well as possible at the time. In 1979 the bridge was inspected structurally and rehabilitation plans were designed by Wallace, Montgomery & Associates, LLP to help save the structure and return it to its original state.

Casselman River Bridge State Park

The bridge and surrounding 4 acres are preserved as Casselman River Bridge State Park. The bridge is open to pedestrians, and there are fishing opportunities in Casselman River.

Historic Stanton's Mill is adjacent to the park.

Photo gallery

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  The Casselman Bridge photographed in 1940 with crumbling sides.

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  Deterioration of the bridge in the 1940s.

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  Deteriorated side of the bridge in the 1940s.

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  The 1979 construction to rehabilitate the bridge sidewalls.

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  Hole through the side of the bridge high above the Casselman River.

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  The 1979 rehabilitation to the bridge roadway.

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  The 1979 arch rehabilitation and stream preservation closeup.

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  The 1979 arch rehabilitation and stream preservation.

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  Arch work in 1979 rehabilitation efforts.

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  1979 photo following the rehabilitation project by WM&A.

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  1979 approach photo as bridge is re-opened.

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  1979 Aerial photo of newly opened structure.

External links

• Casselman River Bridge State Park - official site
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Casselman River Bridge State Park
• Casselman Bridge, National Road, Garrett County, including photo in 1996, at Maryland Historical Trust
• River Road Bridge, Crossing Casselman River on Casselman River Road, Grantsville vicinity, Garrett County, MD: 18 photos, 15 data pages, 3 photo caption pages, at Historic American Engineering Record