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A few postcards and newspaper articles concerning the bridges in Warren borough - a work-in-progress.
In 1870, a wire foot-bridge was built across Conewango creek and a stock company was organized to build a suspension bridge across the Allegheny River. It was completed and opened for use in November 1871.
1871
Postcard image courtesy of Warren County Historical Society, Warren, Pa.
Construction of the Suspension Bridge, Warren, Pa.
August 15, 1893 - from the Tuesday edition of the Evening Democrat, page 4, columns 1 and 3, under Brevities:
--The Suspension Bridge Company have the lumber on the ground for a new roadway on the bridge. The lumber is 2 1/2 inch oak planks. The present floor, of 3 inch oak was put down about 6 years ago, and owing to the fact that the roadway has to be laid lengthwise the plank wear out more rapidly than if laid crosswise, but the bridge is strengthened thereby.
November 2, 1893 - from the Thursday edition of the Evening Democrat, page 4, under Brevities:
--The new Fifth street bridge will be 25 feet wide, with a foot passage of five feet in width. Mr. Conger, who is representing the successful company, says it will take about 60 days for the iron work to be manufactured and that the structure can be put together in about two weeks' time.
Caption:
Suspension Bridge, Warren, Pa.
Undated postcard
The total cost for the structure was nearly $45,000 and tolls were collected for about 25 years
Caption: WARREN, PA.
Suspension Bridge across the Allegheny River
3900
Caption: The Old Swinging Bridge Across the Conewango at Warren, Pa.
(Now Gone)
Postcard image courtesy of Warren County Historical Society, Warren, Pa.
Undated postcard from the Bairstow Collection
April 16, 1894 - from the Thursday edition of the Evening Democrat, page 4, column 1:
--When the 5th street bridge is opened, one of the favorite strolls for young people on moon-light evenings will be to go over the swinging bridge, up Connewango Avenue and to return over the new suspension bridge.
--The 5th street bridge is almost completed and will be opened to the public in a few days. The trestle work for the last span is finished and the planking laid. About all that remains to be done is to build in the approach to the West End, put on the side railings and give it a few finishing touches.
July 3, 1918 - from Wednesday edition of the Warren Evening Times, page 4, column 4:
NOTICE!
Sealed Proposals for the demolition and sale of the Suspension Bridge at Warren, Penn'a will be received by the Warren County Commissioners at their office in Warren, Warren County, Penn'a on or before 12 o'clock noon, August 1, 1918.
Approximately 80 tons of structural steel, cables, and Bolts and approximately 80M feet of lumber in bridge.
Directions for demolition on file at the Commissioners' office. Right is reserved to accept or reject any or all bids.
A. C. MOOK
E. M .LOWE
S. A. CRAMER
County Commissioners of Warren County, Penn'a.
Attest: Addison White, Clerk
August 12, 1918 - from Monday edition of the Warren Evening Times, page 2, column 1:
BRIDGE IS SOLD FOR $400
The old suspension bridge no longer is the property of the people of Warren county. It now is the property of L. Segen and Mr. Schavfran, as the result of the sale which was held this noon. $400 was the price at which the old structure was sold.
W. H. Cramer, county commissioner had charge of the sale. Before opening for bids, he made a few preliminary remarks. He said that the sale was exclusive of the abutments or anchorage which was at both ends of the bridge. The biggest part of the bridge sale was the old iron junk in the cables. It runs between 75 and 100 tons of the material. A bond of $500 also had to be furnished.
In opening the bids, William Lavery started the ball a rolling with $100. Charley Punsky raised the bid to $200, but it was sold to the two parties at $400. The men have sixty days in which to remove the structure. They will in a few days begin the demolishing of the structure.
August 14, 1918 - from Wednesday edition of the Warren Evening Times, page 4, column 5, under "TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY:"
WANTED--Contractor for taking apart the Suspension bridge, for particulars apply from 6 to 9 p.m. at 112 Oak street, or phone 695-m.
Caption:
26. High Level Bridge at Water Works, Warren, Pa.
Postcard image courtesy of Warren County Historical Society, Warren, Pa.
Undated postcard
Stamped on the back: Jul 3 1925
Benton Bairstow
112 Oneida Ave.
Warren, Penn'a
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