Landis Mill Bridge
Landis Mill Bridge is a small, rather remarkable bridge located in what once must have been a particularly pleasant rural spot -- but is now hemmed in by a large shopping center, an apartment development, and major highways on the boundary of Lancaster. All the same, it should not be missed, and not only because the site is still pretty enough to take your breath away. Rather, it is the remarkable structure of the bridge that sets it apart.
The Multiple Kingpost Truss
Above we see the truss of Landis Mill Bridge -- a multiple kingpost truss, very unusual and the only one in Lancaster County. (Indeed we know of no other in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region). Even more unusual, we believe, is the way that the second kingpost to the inside reinforces the multiple kingpost structure to the outside. Perhaps Elias McMellen, who built so many Burr truss bridges, didn't feel an unreinforced structure could be sound, even for a little bridge such as this one.
Landis Mill Bridge from Downstream
- Length: 53 ft.
- Width: 15 ft.
- Built: 1873
- Builder: Elias McMellen
- Truss: Multiple Kingpost
- Stream: Little Conestoga Creek
- Traffic: yes (very heavy)
- WGCB Number: 38-36-16
- Alternative name: Little Conestoga 1 Bridge
- Parking: Pull-off in fishing park just southwest of the bridge.
To the Driving Tour
