CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN for the National Road in Maryland Case Study: Casselman River Bridge Casselman River Bridge: Interpreting the National Road Named “Little Crossings” by George Washington, the area of the Casselman River Bridge is located east of Grantsville. The bridge was the longest span of its kind when it was constructed in 1813 for the National Road. It is one of the many beautiful and innovative stone bridges which were designed specifically for the National Road. The structure can be seen easily from the National Freeway (I-68) as well as Alternate US 40. Other features located in close proximity to the bridge include the Penn Alps (currently used as a conference center), Spruce Forest Artisans Village, and Stanton’s Mill. Due to its impressive and graceful appearance, the Casselman River Bridge is a natural location to promote the historic importance of the National Road as a gateway to the west. The bridge can also be used to teach about transportation history. The proposed plan suggests the use of an interpretive wall to teach about the National Road, with embedded or engraved panels which can be both seen and felt. The proposed split rail fence and the location of the path leading to the wall are based on a Leo Beachy photograph of the bridge from the early 1900’s. Beachy was a native of Grantsville, and took several photographs of the National Road and the Casselman River. The wall itself takes its design from a wall of millstones which can be found at the neighborhing Spruce Forest Artisans Village. Additional improvements to the Casselman River Bridge State Park are noted on the enclosed plan. Little Crossings Inn, located at Spruce Village, is thought to be the only remaining log tavern on “The Pike.” View of Casselman River Bridge. The unusually high arch was built to accommodate the C&O Canal, which never arrived. Early 1900’s photograph of the “Little Crossings” Bridge, by Leo Beachy, native of Grantsville, Maryland.
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CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN for the
National Road in MarylandCase Study: Casselman River Bridge
Casselman River Bridge: Interpreting theNational Road
Named “Little Crossings” by George Washington, the area of the CasselmanRiver Bridge is located east of Grantsville. The bridge was the longest span of itskind when it was constructed in 1813 for the National Road. It is one of the manybeautiful and innovative stone bridges which were designed specifically for theNational Road. The structure can be seen easily from the National Freeway (I-68)as well as Alternate US 40. Other features located in close proximity to the bridgeinclude the Penn Alps (currently used as a conference center), Spruce ForestArtisans Village, and Stanton’s Mill.
Due to its impressive and graceful appearance, the Casselman River Bridge is anatural location to promote the historic importance of the National Road as agateway to the west. The bridge can also be used to teach about transportationhistory. The proposed plan suggests the use of an interpretive wall to teach aboutthe National Road, with embedded or engraved panels which can be both seen andfelt. The proposed split rail fence and the location of the path leading to the wallare based on a Leo Beachy photograph of the bridge from the early 1900’s.Beachy was a native of Grantsville, and took several photographs of the NationalRoad and the Casselman River. The wall itself takes its design from a wall ofmillstones which can be found at the neighborhing Spruce Forest ArtisansVillage.
Additional improvements to the Casselman River Bridge State Park are noted onthe enclosed plan.
Little Crossings Inn, located at SpruceVillage, is thought to be the onlyremaining log tavern on “The Pike.”
View of Casselman River Bridge. The unusually high arch was built to accommodate the C&O Canal, which never arrived.
Early 1900’s photograph of the “LittleCrossings” Bridge, by Leo Beachy, nativeof Grantsville, Maryland.
Recommended Plan Elements, Casselman River Bridge
Interpretive Wall – Based on existing photographs of the bridge from the early1900’s, construct a fence and walk to lead down from the western end of the bridgeto the state park. A wall with engraved or embedded interpretative panels wouldimpart stories and history about the bridge and the National Road.Stanton’s Mill – Pursue the creation of a visitor orientation and interpretive center atStanton’s Mill, located approximately 1/4 mile east of the bridge, to serve as agateway to the National Road in Western Maryland. The center would focus onproviding visitor orientation information about attractions and historic sites inWestern Maryland along the National Road, including sidetracks.Visitor Facilities - Consolidate current restroom facilities in park at Spruce ForestArtisans VillagePark Entry - Improve appearance of state park entryway with the use of steel-backed wood guiderails, and paint the back side of signs.Viewing Deck - Construct walking path and viewing deck above river adjacent tohighway to create a safe place for visitors to take pictures of the bridge.Signage - Coordinate interpretive signs with Spruce Forest Artisans Village.Benches along Casselman River - Install benches along the river.
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GrantsvilleWelcome Sign
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CASSELMANRIVER BRIDGESTATE PARK
Casselman River Bridge
Casselman
Penn Alps
River
Alt US 40 Concrete Bridge
SpruceForestArtisansVillage
National Freeway (I-68)
Stanton’s Mill
ProposedInterpretiveWall
To Frostburg
(Before) Welcome to Grantsville Sign.1 Picnic Area, Casselman River State Park.2 Entrance area to Stanton’s Mill, Spruce ForestArtisans Village.
3 Stanton’s Mill.4 Wall with embedded millstones, located atStanton’s Mill near the Spruce Forest Artisan’sVillage.
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3(After) Photo simulation shows proposedroadside detail to improve the Casselman RiverBridge State Park entryway through the use ofsteel-backed wood guiderails.
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6 (Before) Area of proposed interpretive wall 6 (After) Sketch of proposed interpretive wall built into bank, with embeddedor engraved interpretive panels.
