Milestone 61 - well concealed
The replacement bridge for Witmer's Bridge (1800) finally came along in 1932. A white memorial stone about Mr. Abraham Witmer is along the pedestrian walkway about the middle of the bridge. It appears to have been taken from the original bridge. The 61 Milestone lies horizontally underneath it.
In early Turnpike days a ford was available next to the bridge for those who didn't want to pay the toll. Mr. Witmer took great delight in harassing people who became stuck in it instead of using the bridge.
The Shady area under the old nine arched bridge was also a popular sparking area for young people.
Behind the weedy vegetation you can just make out the 61 M to P. on one line and 1 to L underneath it.
Below, two versions of the Conestoga Inn and Tavern just West of Milestone 61. while the Inn was first built in 1741, the present building only dates back to 1789.
A Terrain map with the salmon colored stickpin showing the general location of Milestone 61 in the middle of the bridge over the Conestoga River. The River is the murky brown color. The Conestoga Inn is to the West of it with the slate grey roof.
Thomas Kipphorn took these on May 1, 2024