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Inter-County Bridge in Brownsville celebrated

By Mike Tony for The 3 min read
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Holly Tonini

Residents, political representatives, members of the Brownsville Area High School marching band and American Legion Post 940 gather on the Brownsville side of the Inter-County Bridge to celebrate it’s 100-year history Sunday afternoon.

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Holly Tonini

Norma Ryan, a member of the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation, a former Brownsville mayor and a history buff, tells the audience the history of the Inter-County Bridge connecting Fayette and Washington counties during Sunday’s 100th anniversary celebration of the bridge.

BROWNSVILLE — The Inter-County Bridge was more than just a bridge during its 100th-year rededication ceremony on Sunday.

It was a reminder of Brownsville’s long, rich history of importance in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Hosted by Brownsville and West Brownsville boroughs, the ceremony recognized the 100-year-old bridge’s continued vitality as a means of traffic between the two boroughs, especially for West Brownsville residents and California University of Pennsylvania students.

“It’s been there and brought the community together for years,” said West Brownsville Council member Dana DeAngelo, who helped organize the event.

Several dozen local residents, as well as local officials, gathered at the edge of the Inter-County Bridge to hear Pastor Roger Diehl bless the bridge and hear the Brownsville Area High School marching band perform several patriotic songs.

Former Brownsville mayor and Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation charter member Norma Ryan explained to the crowd that there was a covered bridge built in 1833 where the Inter-County Bridge currently stands and carried the historic National Road.

In 1910, the U.S. Department of War condemned the bridge because it was too low and stifled steamboat traffic.

The Inter-County Bridge’s was built in 1914 as a replacement, and 100 years later is currently included in the National Register of Historic Places.

“I just think (the bridge’s centennial anniversary) is an important milestone that should be recognized,” said Ron Bakewell, a lifelong Brownsville resident who walks the bridge for exercise and triggered plans for the ceremony by informing DeAngelo of the anniversary four months ago. “It’s a vital link to both of the communities around here.”

Several local politicians attended the ceremony, including Washington County Commissioners Diana Irey and Harlan Shober.

“We want to say thank you so much for including us in this special day as you’re honoring 100 years of a bridge which has given our community unity,” Irey said.

Brownsville Mayor Lester Ward and West Brownsville Mayor Martin Brockman also attended and were presented with a citation honoring the bridge. Brownsville Councilman Jack Lawver was also on hand to hold a ribbon that was cut to officially rededicate the bridge.

“This was a great turnout,” Ward said of the crowd, whom he invited to cake and refreshments at the Brownsville Sons of Italy after the ceremony.

“Even though we’re going through some economic bad times right now, there’s still value to the bridge because if that bridge wasn’t there, a lot of people wouldn’t come to West Brownsville,” DeAngelo said. “It’s one of the things that hopefully never, ever tears down.”

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