Historic Wilson Bridge

August 1, 2023 -- While I see the Wilson Bridge all the time, one day I stopped to see it up close and take pictures of it. I had Ty with me. Wilson Bridge crosses the Conococheague Creek about 7 miles from Hagerstown. The bridge was erected in 1819 and is the oldest bridge in Washington County. It was the first of 30 stone bridges constructed in Washington County prior to the end of the Civil War.  

Built in 1819 for $12,000

The other side

The bridge was one of few multiple-arch structures on the National Road and was considered one of the finest. The local government insisted the bridge be constructed all from native limestone. The bridge features a five-arch structure.

210 feet of bridge

The new bridge as seen from under the old bridge

For nearly 120 years until the realignment of US Route 40 (in 1937), the 210-foot Wilson Bridge carried National Road traffic. The bridge was closed 1972 after being damaged by Hurricane Agnes.

Historical marker

Graffiti  under the bridge