Epilogue

As I am sitting here at my computer, I'm thinking back some 20 years ago, when Tim Vecellio approached me with a story that he had heard about a stone arched bridge that was in Big Shanty, PA, built by Confederate Civil War prisoners. Then he brought a short video of the Arch Bridge for my viewing. Although I was amazed at the size of the bridge and the story behind it, I put it in the back of my mind for many years.

Now, being the 150^th Anniversary of the Civil War in America, I wondered really how large is this bridge and could it have been built by Confederate prisoners. So I started my research, looking for positive proof. I came across a book that was written by Lawrence W. Kilmer that stated that the “Arch Culvert” in Big Shanty, PA, was built by Confederate prisoners. An “Old Timer” told me that it was referred to as the “Arch Culvert.”

My interest was truly sparked and I took a serious approach to the research. I continued my research, starting months ago, with untold numbers of hours, hundreds of contacts and sources. Then the history finally started to unfold about the 1864 Arch Bridge.

Knowing what I know today from my research, I do believe that Confederate soldiers had a hand in the 1864 Arch Bridge construction. Though I could not find any official documented evidence.

Someday, I firmly believe that a Confederate soldier’s diary or letter will corroborate Mr. Kilmer’s statement and my belief about the construction of the 1864 Arch Bridge Culvert.

            While sitting in a local saloon, I had one “Old Timer” tell me it’s probably an old tale told. I tend to believe it was a truthful story told around the pot-belly stove at Charles Geary’s General Mercantile or A. N. McFalls Forest Boarding House. And they both were located near Ryan Road in Mt. Alton, today. I have found through historical research that most folk-tales have some merit and truth.

I would like to thank the many local people and my internet contacts for their help with this historical story of the 1864 Arch Bridge and also my son-in-law, Andrew Brooks, for his wonderful sketches and my daughter, Karen Rathfon-Brooks, for her presentation work.

I would like to give a special thank you to Tim Vecellio for his interest and assistance with this project. I would joke with Tim, as the days and months went by, “it’s your fault, you had to tell me about the Arch Bridge!”

I hope you find time in your busy lives today to take a walk on the old Buffalo, Bradford, & Pittsburgh RR grade to visit the 1864 Arch Bridge. I am sure you will find it AMAZING!