Welty's Mill Bridge

Welty's Mill Bridge is a limestone arch structure that crosses the East Branch of Little Antietam River with two distinct curved spans. The bridge stretches approximately 137 feet and was built to accommodate the traffic and heavy loads common to rural Pennsylvania routes.

David Snively Stoner built this bridge in 1856 during an era of major infrastructure growth in Franklin County. Stone arch bridges like this one became essential as rural communities expanded their transportation networks.

The structure shows how Scottish building methods were adapted by American engineers during the 1800s. Walking across it today, you can sense the craftsmanship that went into every stone joint.

Plan to visit on foot to get a close look at the arch design and the stonework. The area around the bridge offers good viewpoints from the riverbank where you can see the structure from different angles.

Local limestone from the surrounding area was quarried and shaped for this bridge, making it a product of what the land itself offered. The double-arch design also proved remarkably effective at distributing the weight of traffic over many decades.

Location: Pennsylvania

GPS coordinates: 39.73778,-77.57222

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:15