Port Royal 200

Bridge - Tuscarora Creek - Route 75

Route 75

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TUSCARORA CREEK BRIDGE: Looking east toward Port Royal. The small building in the right center of the photo is a blacksmith shop that will eventually be owned by "Dutch" Kepner. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
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TUSCARORA CREEK BRIDGE: Looking east toward Port Royal. The small building in the right center of the photo is a blacksmith shop that will eventually be owned by "Dutch" Kepner. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/27/20 - Image Year: 1910
The first covered bridge across Tuscarora Creek, to Old Port, was built in 1818 and was one of the first bridges built in Juniata County. It was erected by Thomas Henderson and Solomon Rice and was apparently built by public contributions. Thomas Turbett (father of Stewart and William Turbett) was the treasurer of the company. Investors could make their contribution in labor or money. The original bridge, which cost a total of $1,480.24, had no roof, but after about 20 years of usage, a roof was added.

It was swept away in the June flood of 1889. That year, folks from the western part of the County, who wished to go to the Juniata County Fair, were taken across the Creek in wagons, if they were fearful to walk across on a rather flimsy temporary foot bridge.

Another wooden covered bridge was built on the same site about 1890. This remained in use until 1932 when it was torn down and replaced with a steel and concrete bridge.

The steel and concrete bridge was torn down and replaced by a new structure in 2008.

Photos & Comments

This is a copy of a stock certificate for the Tuscarora and Licking Creek Navigation Company. It appears to be issued to an Isaac Hower for twenty shares of stock. It was issued May 12, (Year Unclear). This was probably the new stock company that emerged after the first bridge was swept away in the June 1889 flood.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/24/09 - Image Year: 1889
This is a copy of a stock certificate for the Tuscarora and Licking Creek Navigation Company. It appears to be issued to an Isaac Hower for twenty shares of stock. It was issued May 12, (Year Unclear). This was probably the new stock company that emerged after the first bridge was swept away in the June 1889 flood.
TRAVEL PERMITTED - Notice in the Port Royal Times (Article courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/11/20 - Image Year: 1889
TRAVEL PERMITTED - Notice in the Port Royal Times (Article courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
EAST END OF OLD PORT: The Tuscarora Creek Bridge can be seen in the background just behind the horse. Unidentified team drivers. (Submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/21/13 - Image Year: 1900
EAST END OF OLD PORT: The Tuscarora Creek Bridge can be seen in the background just behind the horse. Unidentified team drivers. (Submitted by Wayne Taylor)
This is the second Old Port Bridge as it appeared about 1910.
Contributed by garthe on 9/19/09 - Image Year: 1910
This is the second Old Port Bridge as it appeared about 1910.
The Tuscarora Creek Bridge is on the right side of the picture. The people are standing on the Tuscarora Valley (TV) railroad bridge. (Not sure of the year of the flood.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/23/09 - Image Year: 1900
The Tuscarora Creek Bridge is on the right side of the picture. The people are standing on the Tuscarora Valley (TV) railroad bridge. (Not sure of the year of the flood.)
This is how the Tuscarora Creek Bridge appeared about 1915. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/23/09 - Image Year: 1915
This is how the Tuscarora Creek Bridge appeared about 1915. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
This is how the bridge appeared about 1915.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/23/09 - Image Year: 1915
This is how the bridge appeared about 1915.
BUILDING THE BRIDGE IN 1932 The buildings at the end of the bridge are part of a Pin Mill that produced the pins that held glass insulators on light and telephone poles. (Photo contributed by Sonja Stake Baker)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 12/29/10 - Image Year: 1932
BUILDING THE BRIDGE IN 1932 The buildings at the end of the bridge are part of a Pin Mill that produced the pins that held glass insulators on light and telephone poles. (Photo contributed by Sonja Stake Baker)
THE NEW BRIDGE IS OPEN The covered bridge across the creek has been replaced. (Article courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/27/20 - Image Year: 1933
THE NEW BRIDGE IS OPEN The covered bridge across the creek has been replaced. (Article courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
This is the new steel bridge that was build about 1928.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/23/09 - Image Year: 1950
This is the new steel bridge that was build about 1928.
The Tuscarora Creek Bridge is totally submerged under water during the June 1972 Flood. The red house in the center of the photo is the "Senator" Hertzler house in Old Port.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/25/09 - Image Year: 1972
The Tuscarora Creek Bridge is totally submerged under water during the June 1972 Flood. The red house in the center of the photo is the "Senator" Hertzler house in Old Port.
The bridge of 1932 soon before it was replaced. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/6/21 - Image Year: 2008
The bridge of 1932 soon before it was replaced. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
The steel and concrete bridge of 1932 is about to be replaced in 2008.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/23/09 - Image Year: 2008
The steel and concrete bridge of 1932 is about to be replaced in 2008.
TEMPORARY BRIDGE - Temporary bridge across the Tuscarora Creek while the permanent bridge was being replaced. (Photos courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by ray on 3/27/20 - Image Year: 2008
TEMPORARY BRIDGE - Temporary bridge across the Tuscarora Creek while the permanent bridge was being replaced. (Photos courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
OFFICIAL FIRST CROSSING OF THE NEW BRIDGE Ruth Landis, 91 year old resident of Old Port.
Contributed by ray on 3/27/20 - Image Year: 2009
OFFICIAL FIRST CROSSING OF THE NEW BRIDGE Ruth Landis, 91 year old resident of Old Port.
This is a picture of the official first crossing of the new Tuscarora Creek Bridge that opened in 2008. Riding in the back seat of the car is Ruth Landis, one of the oldest residents of Old Port who was given the honor of being the first person to officially cross the bridge. Beside her is her neighbor James McClure. Jim's wife Sandy and car owner Doc Johnson are seated in the front seat of the car. (Photo submitted by Nellie Landis Sorensen, daughter of Ruth.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/2/09 - Image Year: 2009
This is a picture of the official first crossing of the new Tuscarora Creek Bridge that opened in 2008. Riding in the back seat of the car is Ruth Landis, one of the oldest residents of Old Port who was given the honor of being the first person to officially cross the bridge. Beside her is her neighbor James McClure. Jim's wife Sandy and car owner Doc Johnson are seated in the front seat of the car.
(Photo submitted by Nellie Landis Sorensen, daughter of Ruth.)
AERIAL VIRW OF TUSCARORA CREEK BRIDGE: This view was taken by Harry Summers through use of a drone in the Summer of 2021.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/17/21 - Image Year: 2021
AERIAL VIRW OF TUSCARORA CREEK BRIDGE: This view was taken by Harry Summers through use of a drone in the Summer of 2021.