Wilson's Bridge
NBI Information
Location
State: Maryland
County: Washington County
Feature Carried: Pedestrian Path
Feature Crossed: Conococheague Creek
Latitude, Longitude: 39.6579, -77.8480
Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open to Pedestrians
History
Year Built: 1819
Year Closed:
Picture Date: April 23, 2026
Geometry
Lanes on Structure: 1
Lanes under Structure: 0
Number of Main Spans: 1
Main Structure Type: Arch - Deck
Main Structure Material: Masonry
Condition
Bridge is not on the National Bridge Inventory
Bridge Information
Wilson’s Bridge was built in 1819 to carry the National Pike across the Conococheague Creek. It is a five-span closed spandrel deck arch constructed of coursed local limestone. The bridge was bypassed by the Conococheague Bridge in 1936 but remained open for local traffic.
However, once the bypass was opened, little was done to maintain the old bridge. It was closed in June 1972 after it was damaged by Tropical Storm Agnes. The bridge sat abandoned and slowly fell into disrepair. Stones dropped from the bridge, and eventually, and entire section collapsed into the river.
The Washington County Committee of the Maryland Historical Trust tried to save the bridge, but the cost of the restoration was prohibitive. At the last minute, a local mason named LeRoy Myers offered to restore the bridge for a fraction of the cost of the other bids. The funds were secured, and the bridge was restored for non-motorized use in 1984.
References
Reed, Paula. “Maryland SP Wilson’s Bridge.” National Archives Catalog, Mar. 1981, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/106778576. Accessed 27 July 2026.
“Wilson’s Bridge.” National Register Properties in Maryland, https://apps.mht.maryland.gov/nr/nrdetail.aspx?nrid=673. Accessed 27 July 2026.
Schooley, Patricia. “Wilson Bridge 1819 and Wilson Store C1847, East of Clear Spring, MD..” Washington County Historical Trust, 4 June 1989, https://washingtoncountyhistoricaltrust.org/wilson-bridge-1819-and-wilson-store-c1847-east-of-clear-spring-md/. Accessed 27 July 2026.
