Portage Bridge - 1875 - Letchworth State Park, NY
Posted by: Bon Echo
N 42° 34.675 W 078° 03.002
17T E 742095 N 4718163
Also known at the Portageville Bridge. The date 1875 is stamped into the cast iron supports of the bridge.
Waymark Code: WMMQ0F
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 10/22/2014
Views: 3
The Portage Bridge (also known as the Portageville Bridge) which carries the Norfolk Southern railroad over the Genesee River in Letchworth State Park was built in 1875 after a fire destroyed the former wooden bridge. The steel frame bridge, which towers over the river gorge and its waterfalls, has become a beloved feature of the park and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. (source: (
visit link)
The dated "plaque" is easily visible at the base of the souther-most support closest to the Park Rd pathway (see images) (this pathway is also part of the Gorge trail). The support is positioned between the roadway and the trail. The stonewark on which the supports rest are from the original wooden bridge, contructed in 1852.
Due to the age and condition of the bridge, it may be replaced in the near future. The current bridge may be maintained or may be demolished.