Cement Bridge #1
The entrance road crosses the Monocacy
MAP 8
At the center of this cement bridge’s span is an escutcheon formed into the cement with the initials “AJ” - Archibald Johnston. Few other places in the park have his mark so visibly placed. Johnston, a graduate of Lehigh University (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1889), had a passion for design and construction, befitting his education and hands-on role at Bethlehem Steel, where he was first vice president.
The bridge is constructed of reinforced concrete with early rebar inside the vertical supports of the parapet. Over time, the regular freeze-thaw pattern of Pennsylvania winter weather allowed water to penetrate the parapet, causing rusting and cracking of the cement. Even though the south parapet has been repaired, the “NO TRESPASSING” sign at the east end of the bridge marks the end of the south walk for today’s park visitors.
Just beyond the bridge, however, is the “carwash” - a cemented ford of the creek where Johnston’s employees would bring cars and farm vehicles to be washed. Further still, the single-lane road paralleling Santee Mill Road just above has collapsed in several places and walking in that area is not advisable.