When The Northumberland Covered Bridge Burned

On June 3 1923, local residents lined the shores of the Susquehanna River at Northumberland and Sunbury, and watched their 100 year old covered bridge burn.

The fire was one of the most spectacular in the history of the river community.

The entire 1,000 foot bridge burned in less than an hours time.

The bridge had been built in 1824, primarily for the old Pennsylvania Canal to take the mules from one branch of the river to the other. 

Covered bridge on the left

During the civil war, the residents packed the bridge with hay saturated in oil, and trained the guns of Fort Augusta on the bridge, prepared to burn the bridge if needed, rather than allow the Rebel forces to use it to cross to the north.

The bridge survived the civil war, but still burned in 1923.  The cause of the fire was unknown.

 At 12:40 pm on June 3rd 1923, a young boy was walking toward Northumberland when he noticed the bridge was on fire.  He notified the tollgate keeper at the Northumberland end, and him and several other men ran out onto the bridge to attack the flames.

 Reaching the middle of the bridge, the men found the flames to be burning between the double floor.  Both of Northumberland's fire companies soon arrived, but the fire was so extensive that it could not be put out. 

The entire bridge burned in less than an hours time.

The Shamokin News dispatch reported that "The fire was one of the most spectacular in the history of the river community and was witnessed by thousands of people who lined the banks for the Sunbury and Northumberland sides of the river."

The 1,300 ft  long Covered Bridge Spanning the river between Northumberland and "Blue Hill" , Shamokin Dam, was at one time,  the only bridge spanning the Susquehanna this side of Harrisburg.

"The bridge was erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1824 and was used primarily in connection with the old Pennsylvania Canal to take the mules from the western side of the west branch of the Susquehanna to the canal on the other side and on the north branch of the river.  In 1886 it was taken over by Northumberland, Union, Snyder counties, and until the erection of the steel toll bridge from Sunbury to Shamokin Dan, was the only bridge across the river this side of Harrisburg." The Mount Caramel Item, June 4th 1943

 This photo of the Sunbury Converting Works shows the Covered Bridge in the background.

 A Birds Eye View, From Blue HIll

"During the battle of Gettysburg, when it was feared the rebels might possibly get through the union ranks and march north, residents of Northumberland and Sunbury united in packing the covered bridge full of hay, which they saturated with oil. Everything was in readiness to apply the torch in the event of the advance of the rebels.  At the same time, the guns of Fort Augusta were trained upon the entrance of the bridge." The Mount Caramel Item, June 4th 1943

A view of the bridge, with the Hotel Shikellamy on the hill above it.
 According to C.A. Neal's book "Discovery II" The Hotel Shikellamy was built in 1890. It burned to the ground in 1898 .  See more photos of the hotel here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-hotel-shikallamy-1891-1898.html

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The "White Bridge"

The new White Bridge, replacing the old covered bridge, opened to traffic on July 1 1926.

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For More Stories & History Of Northumberland [The Borough]

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2021/03/northumberland-pennsylvania.html

Find More Local History & Stories, From Nearby Towns,  Here
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

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Shamokin News-Dispatch

Shamokin, Pennsylvania
04 Jun 1923, Mon

The Danville Morning News
Danville, Pennsylvania
04 Jun 1923, Mon 

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 https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-covered-bridges-index.html