A number of people have questioned whether the bridge on
the cover is actually the bridge over Deer Creek on
Forge Road off Route 1. In June 2007 I received a
message from Christopher Becker, Associate Director for
Imaging Services Maryland Historical Society, that
identifies the bridge.
I was recently going over some images of Harford County
in our Hughes collection and stumbled upon an image that
may be of interest to you. It is an image of the Forge
Road bridge spanning Deer Creek in Palmer State Park.
The view reveals the bridge shortly after its 1911
completion and it is interesting to note that it shows
the road which leads to Deer Creek Iron Works and
Husband's Mill. I have attached the image (PP8.226Deer
Creek, bridge and roadway, Harford Co.) that I found for
your review. (See photo below.)
I am bringing this to your attention because of your
book "Harford County, Then and Now." The bridge on your
cover is not the bridge that appears at that location.
Your cover bridge seems to be the 1883 metal truss
bridge spanning Deer Creek at Nobles Mill further down
stream. That bridge also has a hard turn in the same
direction as the Forge Road bridge. As far as I am aware
no other bridge stood at that location prior to the 1911
creation of the concrete span. The crossing before that
time was the Forge Road covered bridge about a half mile
upstream of which now only the abutments remain.
Overall, the book
is a fascinating study of the growth that has occurred
throughout the county and it was very enjoyable to read.
My thanks to Chris for sharing
this information and for allowing me to post online this
image from the MHS collection. |
Click to enlarge images
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