Main Street Bridge, Spanning French Creek, Phoenixville, Chester County, PA

Significance: The masonry portion of this bridge, as originally constructed, is representative of the multiple span stone bridges built throughout Pennsylvania in the mid-nineteenth century. It has been repaired frequently and portions have been rebuilt from its earliest years; most of the original structure is now obscured by cement parging. The most significant component of this bridge is the pedestrian iron fink truss portion which was constructed in 1870. Albert Fink, prominent nineteenth century engineer, patented this truss type in 1854. One of two known Fink deck truss bridges remaining in the United States, these are the only known Fink trusses in Pennsylvania. The truss components and the iron railing were all fabricated at the Phoenix Bridge Works, and they were erected by that company.
Survey number: HAER PA-84
Building/structure dates: 1847 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1870 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1874 Subsequent Work