About Allerton Road Bridge
The Allerton Road Bridge carries Pennsylvania Route 842 (Allerton Road) over the East Branch of Brandywine Creek at Jefferis Ford in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
History
Jefferis Ford played a notable role in the American Revolutionary War. During the British advance leading to the Battle of Brandywine, General William Howe crossed the ford, as well as Trimble’s Ford, to launch a surprise attack on George Washington’s forces to the south. [1] The ford was named after Robert Jefferis (1668–1739), who settled in the area in 1701 after emigrating from England to Chester County in 1681. [2]
In 1862, a covered bridge was constructed at Jefferis Ford to replace the crossing. [3] Built by Joseph Elliot of Unionville, the bridge featured a 104-foot span and a 16-foot-wide roadway. It was destroyed by arson in 1953 and later replaced by a riveted Pratt through truss bridge. Originally built around 1905, the replacement bridge had been located on an abandoned road over Doe Run in West Marlborough Township before being relocated to Jefferis Ford.
Structure
Dimensions & Classification
| Structural Form | Through Truss — Pratt |
|---|---|
| Primary Material | Steel |
| Total Length | 105' |
| Main Span | 95' |
| Deck Width | 14'4" |
| Vertical Clearance | 17'2" |
Photographs
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Sources & Citations
References for this location, in MLA format.
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