Details
Creator Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927
Title The Columbia Bridges at Belmont
Date ca. 1919
Description Reproduction of two drawings depicting a bridge over a river. Top image depicts a covered railroad bridge with a train going across, with a horse-drawn covered wagon and a train car pulled by mules in the foreground. The bottom image shows an uncovered bridge with two steam locomotives moving in opposite directions, and two automobiles and horses on the lower bank of the river.
Notes The original railroad bridge spanning the Schuylkill River at Belmont was completed in 1834. It was built by the State of Pennsylvania, at a cost of $235,000, to provide connection of the city with the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad. It was the first railroad bridge built within the State. Cars were drawn to Belmont by mule power and hoisted by steam up the incline at Belmont a distance of 2000 feet. Thence they proceeded to Columbia, at first by horse power, and, after 1836 by small locomotives. Sectional canal boats were transported upon trucks over the same route, these providing means for freightage and passenger travel to and from Pittsburgh. The bridge was bought by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Company after the old State railroad was superseded by the Pennsylvania (central) line. The old bridge was displaced by one of iron in 1889. This second bridge will be removed, in the course of 1920, by a splendid arched bridge of concrete which is, at this time (1919), in course of construction.
Taylor Catalog Number: 184
Is part of Frank H. Taylor Collection
Identifier Taylor - Case 12-9 [2717.F]