Explore 200 years of history at Maryland’s Casselman River Bridge State Park

Casselman River Bridge State Park is in rural western Maryland’s Garrett County. Today, the historic park is visited by thousands of people each year. Before it became a park, it was an engineering marvel that helped connect a growing nation.

Before the bridge was built, the area known as Little Crossings was used to cross the Casselman River. In 1755, a young George Washington serving as a military aide on the staff of British General Edward Braddock, forded the river on its way to what would ultimately become known as Braddock’s campaign or Braddock’s Defeat during the French and Indian War. Braddock was soundly defeated at the Battle of the Monongahela. The embarrassing defeat forced his army to retreat, again across the river to where Casselman Bridge would ultimately be built. Side note: General Braddock’s grave is not far away in Pennsylvania.

Casselman River Bridge opened in 1814

Fast forward nearly 60 years, and our nation was fledgling with a thirst for westward expansion. The Casselman Bridge was constructed from 1813-1814. The bridge was a part of the National Road, which linked Cumberland, Maryland, to the then frontiers of the west.

At the time, the bridge’s 80-foot span was the largest in America. It’s said that the bridge was made extra large in hopes that the planned Chesapeake and Ohio Canal would pass underneath it. That never happened.

On the day the bridge was officially opened in 1814, a large public celebration was held, with many in the crowd expecting it to collapse once the scaffolding was removed immediately; however, it proved solid. So solid it was continuously used for more than one hundred years until 1933. That year, U.S. Route 40 became westward’s main artery, and a new steel bridge was constructed nearby.

Casselman River Bridge State Park Today

Casselman Bridge is a National Historic Landmark and a part of the Maryland State Park system. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of George Washington and the countless people who pushed America’s westward expansion. There are beautiful spots to picnic with the family, or if you like to fish, the Casselman River is very popular with fly fishermen.

Across the bridge lies the historic Alpine Village, with old log cabins, inns, and recreated buildings to highlight the golden age of travel along the National Road.