The winter of 1903-04 was one of massive snow depth and cold. Due to the extremely cold temperatures, the North branch of the Susquehanna River was covered with a thick coating of ice all the way to the West branch at Northumberland.
Early in March there came a prolonged rain, followed by a warm spell that caused a quick melting of the snow. Together the rain and melting snow caused a sudden rise of the water in both branches of the river. The warm sun and the swollen waters caused the ice to heave and break and move along with the high water.
As a result, on Wednesday, March 9, 1909, the Danville River Bridge was lifted by the water and floating ice and carried from the stone piers downstream. At the same time, the water backed up Mahoning Creek and quickly filled the cellars of Mill Street stores, extending onto Lower Mulberry Street and into cellars of homes in the Second Ward. Two-hundred families in the town were temporarily removed from their homes. Boats were the only way to navigate around town.
At 3 p.m., the Water Works sounded its shrill whistle telling the Danvillians that ice in the river was moving. Scores of people lined the shore to watch the sight. Spectators were warned to stay off the bridge; warnings were posted of the danger. About 3:30 p.m. the plank sheeting of the second span for the Riverside end was ripped from its mooring by the relentless ice pounding the pier. At 4 p.m. the span fell into the river with two other spans following almost instantly. Soon, the fourth and fifth went. The two remaining spans, both on the Danville end, held on.
The William Howe Truss covered bridge, built by Smith Bridge Company out of Toledo, Ohio, had served the residents of Danville and Riverside for 29 years.
Construction of a new bridge was planned, but until completion people had to find a way to cross the river. This created a great hardship on people on both sides of the river — residents either had to use the ferry in good weather or ford the ice during winter. On June 15, 1905, a new iron bridge opened. This was the fourth bridge in this location crossing the river between Danville and Riverside. This new iron bridge stood against floods and ice flows, unlike the past covered bridges, until a new concrete bridge was dedicated and opened to the public on July 21, 2000.
-- Lynn Reichen is president of the Montour County Historical Society.
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Getting involved
Annual membership to the Montour County Historical Society is $15 per individual, $25 per family (living under one roof) and $300 for a life-time. Newsletters are sent out quarterly. Send membership dues to MCHS, P.O. Box 8, Danville, PA 17821. The Montgomery House is open Memorial Day through Labor Day on Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment by calling 275-0383 or 275-7875. The Mooresburg Schoolhouse is open for the day the first Sunday in October and by appointment by calling 275-3690.
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News
A March flood washed away
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Pen pals become BFFs
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2 of 134 fail Midd-West drug tests
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Four earn EMS Providers of the Year awards
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The shares fell 13.7% early today to well below the $38 price for the initial public offering, before pulling off the low. -
Take Me Home: Daryll
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