The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-03-15
A Famous Bridge on the Great Ma
rlnnaf Rnad

A Famous Bridge on the Great Ma
tionaI Road.
One Of the finest and most costly stone
structures in Western Pennsyl7aniz is the
large three arched bridge that spans the
Youghiogheny river az SomeTieId on the
National pike leading from Cumberland to
Wheeling I; vas built, according to an in
scriptiOn on one or the arches, by Kinkead,
Beck and Evans. and completed July 4. ISIS
They contracted With the Government Of
the United States to build it for zoo, but
the price falling 50 far below the actual cost
they were afterwards given $4,000 extra
Even -. 90 WAS not equal TO its actual
cost, which resulted in the utter bankrupt
CT of the contracting firm
is three large arches, as well as its other
parts, were 50 scientifically and substantial
Is constructed that for seventy-foar years it
has stood The constant and heavy traffic
over il, without costing hundred dollars
by way Of repairs. Civil engineers of to-day
say il IS one ofthe finest and most perfect
structures Of The kind in lis architectural
and mechanical construction to be found in
the state; and doubt whether it eoald be
equalled even with all our modern facilities
for boilding for $4,000.
As some parts OF the long psFapet walls
are nov giving way, needing immediate re-
pairs, We are glad 10 know that Governor
Pattison, IN bis ate annual message, has
called legislative attention to the matter. He
says, The Superintendent of the Cumber-
land Road within the limits of Fayette
county reports improvement in It's oondi-
ton. He notes the necessity for repairs TO
the great stone bridge over the Youghioghe-
ny at SOmerfield, which structure begins to
show signs Of decay. Il should be preserved
at least as q monument Of the notable past
history Of this famous ihoroughfare. He
estimates the cost Of needed repairs at 81 500,
and asks for legislative appropriation for
such purpose 10 that amount. l commend
the subject TO your attention"
That great, by far the greatest thorough
fare for many years, the National pike, be
tween the East and West, was constructed
by the GOvernment-largely due to the ear
nest advocacy of Henry Clay, and few 9TH
er leading western Congressmen. For many
years it was under the immediate control of
the Government, and kept in first class or
der by revenue collected as tolls. The toll
houses were built OF stone, and being of an
octagon form, were exceedingly picturesque
in appearance. They were located about
fifteen miles apart, and we believe but one of
them is now standing-the one on the bill
81 the east end Of Addison.
Some years back The road was transferred
by the Government to Maryland, Pennsyl-
vania and West Virginia, through which it
passes, on certain conditions, one Of which, /
We think, vas that each STATE was TO keep it
in good repair.
TIE special attention Of our representa-
tiyes at Harrisburg should be gwen to The |
wise and timely recommendation ofthe Gov |
ernor We say timely, for if not repaired /
by the state the whole burden viii likely be 4
thrown upon Somerset and Fayetie eOun-
ties at no very distant day. In this as in
many other instances the part Of wisdom is
to take time by the forelock.