Stone Culverts On the Original Section of the Cumberland Road

Original Braddock Road stone spring culvert, west of Haystack Mtn. Built circa 1811-12

In the course of building the original section of the Cumberland / National Road from the intersection of Greene St, Fayette St. and Cresaptown Road to Winchester Road(1811-1834)¹, at least six stone culverts where built. The three culverts on the east side of Haystack Mountain traversed creeks or runs. The three culverts on the west side of Haystack were built to divert springs under the road². Of the six, five still remain. The first three culverts, on the east side of Haystack, are noted on a 1906 plat map of the Steel Farm. Culvert #1 has been replaced with a modern storm drain. Culvert #2 has been filled in but the facade is still said to remain. (I hope to have a photo in the near future.)

Culvert #3 still exists although viewing the structure can be perilous (There is no shoulder on either side of the road leading to the culvert.). The north side opening has been filled in around a small galvanized drain pipe and the creek itself has been divert to a holding tank at the top of the mountain. The south side is original but in need of repair. The scaffold in the photo belongs to one of the adjacent landowners who has tried to repair some damage on the structure. (See 1873 map of approx. creek locations.)

Culvert #4 is one the west side of Haystack Mountain below Sunset Dr. (South side). As seen in the photos, the flat road surface is present above the culvert. The bank rising behind the section of road surface was created by construction of I-68. The culvert is in relatively good condition but age and vegetation growth is taking it's toll.

Culvert #5 is almost completely buried and the condition is unknown. The stone wall to the right is beginning to crumble. Thre is an unknown plywood structure built in the ground below the culvert. There is original road surface above and to the right of the culvert. This was the site of an active spring, opposite the old Elda Inn, that was widely used by local residents.

Culvert #6 is behind the former Blue Stone Tavern. The difference in appearence may be a result of reinforcement for use as roadbed by the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad.

~ Steve Colby

Footnotes:

¹ See the CRP article The Forgotten Road

² A resurvey of Pleasant Valley patented to Evan Gwynne on October 5, 1796, describes "a water oak standing above the three springs that break out in Braddock's Road".