In 1840, the bridge was modified and towpaths were set at different levels so canal boats could cross the Susquehanna Rover between the Pennsylvania Canal on the Columbia side and the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal on the Wrightsville side. So, that explains the canal boats. Two canals were connected by the river.
Sometime after 1846, a double track railroad was built across the bridge linking the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad and the Northern Central Railway. Fearing a fire caused by the locomotive (it was a covered bridge after all, rail cars were pulled across the bridge by teams of mules and horses.
ROLE IN THE CIVIL WAR
The bridge was burned June 28, 1863 to prevent Confederates from crossing over from Wrightsville. Union forces first attempted to blow it up, but failed. It was then burned.
More to Come. --Old Secesh
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