Susquehanna Bridge and Bank Company

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Susquehanna Bridge and Bank Company Building Circa 1890's
Ward Abrahams Collection

The Susquehanna Bridge and Bank Company
Established: 1808
Bank Location: 20 N. Main Street

Old Money Photos (Below)
See more Old Money Part II

The Susquehanna Bridge and Bank Company had humble beginnings. Because of the desire to build a bridge linking Cecil and Harford county and the apparent lack of investors, the idea of having a bank on the eastern most shore came into being. A bank it seemed would be more profitable thus attracting investors for the Bridge project. The Bank was incorporated in 1808 although it lacked a charter from the State of Maryland. There are not many corporate notes on the early history of this venture but it is known that John Creswell (considered the founder of Port Deposit) was one of the members of the early board.

The Susquehanna Bridge displayed prominently
on this cut from an 1832 five dollar note

The Susquehanna Bridge
In 1812 John Creswell received authorization to erect a bridge spanning the Susquehanna River. In 1813, Port Deposit received its charter from the State making it an incorporated town.
In 1816, a charter from the Maryland General Assembly approved a Bank and the approval of a bridge to be erected that would not be less than 20 feet wide and less than a mile wide.
In 1817, four acres of land was condemned at the North side of the town close to where Captain John Smith marks on his map of 1608 "Symth Falls" It is deemed at this site that the water is shallow enough and there are several island to link the bridge across the river. The cost for the land received was 1 cent an acre. The bridge was started in 1817 and was finished in 1818.

The old "Conowingo Covered Bridge" circa 1880's

The Susquehanna Covered Bridge as it was called was built by Theodore Burr, inventor of the Burr arch type of covered bridge, and Lewis Wernwag, expert bridge constructor and designer of the famous "Colossus" bridge over the Schuylkill at Philadelphia. This was one of worlds longest-span covered bridges when completed.

The Maryland erected its first wooden highway covered bridge in 1817 with the completion of the 4,170-foot 18 arch bridge that spans the Susquehanna at Rock Run. For the public this bridge provides a far safer passage than ferries over the often ice-clogged river and for development a handsome toll revenues. The bridge was roofed over in an European fashion, not for the benefit of the traveler but for the protection of the wood decking and supporting timbers. It has been said that the bridge came alive when weight was applied to it and pressed the supports into their abutments. -Heather R. Davidson

On Jan 1 1823 friction caused by an iron sled driven rapidly across it caused a fire to ensue that destroyed large portions of the bridge. It was rebuilt by Mr. Wernwag and lasted until 1854 when one span of the bridge was broken by a drove of cattle crossing it. It was never repaired. In 1857 a rather violent "Spring Freshet" carried away the remain section of the bridge on the Cecil county side of the river.

Dr. John Archer was the president of the bank and Thomas L. Savin the cashier when the bridge failed the holders of the notes lost heavily.

An example of a Susquehanna river ark

Susquehanna Canal
A group of Baltimore merchants in November 1783 petitioned the State of Maryland for permission to build the "Susquehanna Canal" to the Pennsylvania line on the east bank of the Susquehanna. This canal, variously referred to as the "Susquehanna Canal", "Port Deposit Canal", or "Conowingo Canal", ran from a tidewater connection near Rock Run to Love Island, just below the Mason-Dixon line.
The general assembly of Maryland grants a charter to build a canal along the route of the lower Susquehanna River. The Proprietors of the Susquehanna (Port Deposit) Canal is incorporated.
The canal was opened in 1801, but was never a financial successful. In 1817, the sheriff of Cecil County sold the canal at public auction. The canal was finally abandoned when the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal began operations. During this period, River arks and barges that could not navigate the treacherous rapids and rocks in the lower part of the Susquehanna would use the canal for a safer and more controlled journey.

Susquehanna Bank Notes Photos
See more Old Money Part II