History and Future of the Milanville Bridge at Skinners Falls

tomrue 18 April 2024

The historic Skinners Falls/Milanville Bridge

This vital interstate bridge, linking New York and Pennsylvania since 1902 is historic in part due to its association with an important spot on the Upper Delaware and with the early rafting, tanning, and railroad industries that shaped the region's economy.

Unfortunately, this bridge has been closed to all users, including bicycles and pedestrians, since 2019 while the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) slow-boated plans for this "outstandingly remarkable" structure's restoration, followed by plans to dissemble and reconstruct it in place. Currently, PennDOT is threatening to blow it up, despite a strong community will against the bridge's unnecessary destruction.

Near the famous Skinners Falls rapids, it spans the Upper Delaware River from Milanville, Damascus Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, to Skinner’s Falls, Sullivan County, New York. To construct a two-span bridge of steel construction, the Milanville Bridge Company incorporated on May 8, 1901, with supplemental act of May 26, 1903. It was from this place that the first raft was started down the Delaware in 1764 by Daniel Skinner, after which he was called “Lord High Admiral of the Delaware,” a title he retained until his death in 1813.

A descendant, Milton L. Skinner, was one of the founders of the bridge company and himself had been a steersman, considered one of the hardest jobs in the rafting business was a member of the Delaware Lodge #561, Free & Accepted Masons. The bridge was purchased by the Joint Commission on April 13, 1923, at a price of $19,542.21. Later that year, a hearing was held in Honesdale on September 10, 1923 "in the matter of dissolving the Milanville Bridge Company" (Tribune, 7/26/1923).

The bridge is architecturally rare. “The pin-connected Baltimore through truss design is historically and technologically significant, earning a November 14, 1988 designation to the National Register of Historic Places as one of only three such truss types among 135 highway bridges owned by PennDOT that had not been demolished as of 2019” (UDC, 3/23/2021).

"The Milanville Bridge - From 1901 to 2017", a full-color booklet shown above at right, by the late Milanville conservationist and local historian Ed Wesely, can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking on the cover image at right. The line art at left is from a set of note-cards created in 1986 by Barbara Yeaman.

According to PennDOT's "Skinners Falls Bridge Project Purpose and Need Statement" (2022): "The NPS considers this bridge a contributing element to the Cultural Outstandingly Remarkable Value for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Coordination with consulting parties, the State Historic Preservation Offices, and NPS will occur throughout the project development process." (See the NPS explanation of this, "Fact Sheet: Outstandingly Remarkable Values".)

In December 2024, PennDOT announced the idea of demolishing this one using explosive charges. For updates on legal efforts to hold PennDOT accountable for its abject failure to protect the traveling public from the bridge's decay, and on the preservation of an historic landmark that distinguishes the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, visit the website of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability and support that organization's excellent work.

Currently, the National Park Service alerts river recreationists to avoid traveling under and around the bridge "due to work PennDOT is doing on the bridge". Starting downriver or portaging around the bridge are safe and viable options.

Best Practices for the Rehabilitation and Moving of Historic Metal Truss Bridges

A few of many published accounts and other items concerning the Skinners Falls/Milanville Bridge

Skinners bridge ‘unsalvageable,’ UDC report concurs - Local advocates still pushing for preservation, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, January 31, 2025

DCS Proposes Alternative to Skinners Falls Bridge Demolition, Wayne Pike News, January 30, 2025

A celebration of Skinners Falls Bridge, by Jeff Sidle, The River Reporter, January 30, 2025

Experts Have Cost Effective Plan to Save the Skinners Falls Bridge, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, January 28, 2025 | See Non-Destructive Solution to the Emergency, Wrought Iron Bridge Works LLC, January 25, 2025

Skinners Falls Bridge May Be Demolished, by Preston Ehrler, BRC TV 13, January 27, 2025

Walkway over the Delaware?, letter by John B. Kearney of Swan Lake, The River Reporter, January 23, 2025

The Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge: Celebrated and Mourned, by Kristin Barron, The Hancock Herald, January 22, 2025 [archive]

River Community Honors Skinners Falls Bridge Not With a Farewell, but a Rallying Cry, WVIA Radio, by Isabela Weiss, January 14, 2025

Tribute to and Memories of Ed Wesely at A Celebration of the Milanville Bridge, by Tom Rue, January 12, 2025 | published as "My View", by Tom Rue in The River Reporter, January 23, 2025

A Celebration of the Skinners Falls Bridge, produced by Cynthia Nash and hosted by Kathy Geary, FACEBOOK LIVE feed, January 12, 2025 | The Crossing by Cynthia Nash - One-act Radio Play about the Skinner's Falls Bridge (28:00)

PennDOT Defends Decision to Demolish Skinners Falls Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, January 9, 2025

Community Celebration and Concern for Endangered Skinners Falls Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, January 8, 2025

Celebration of Skinners Falls Bridge Moves to the Narrowsburg Union, Upper Delaware Council, January 6, 2025

PA citizens group opposes plan to demolish bridge connecting to NY, by Hank Gross, Mid-Hudson News, January 6, 2025

Skinners Falls Bridge to be Demolished, Bridgehunters Chronicles, January 5, 2025

Skinners Falls Bridge to be permanently destroyed, by Vincent Kurzrock, Sullivan County Democrat, December 24, 2024

Public vexed by PennDOT's plan to demolish Skinners Falls Bridge after 6 years of closure, by Peter Becker, USA Today, December 24, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge: Why PennDOT's plan changed from careful dismantling to demolition, by Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent, December 24, 2024 [paywalled]

Letter to the Editor: Skinnners Falls Bridge - PennDOT’s Neglect and Its Impact on Our Communities, by Tom Rue, December 19, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge is “actively failing” and needs to be demolished, potentially with explosives, officials say, by Chris Mele, Delaware Currents, December 19, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge Set for Demolition amid Safety Concerns, Wayne-Pike News, December 19, 2024

Skinners Falls Surprise: PennDOT Announces Demolition of Historic Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, December 18, 2024

PennDOT plans to destroy Skinners Falls Bridge with explosive charges, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, December 17, 2024

PennDOT: Demolition is only option for rapidly failing Skinners Falls Bridge, by Peter Becker, USA Today, December 17, 2024

Letter signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, ill-informed by the advice of PennDOT administrators, December 14, 2024

When will PennDOT take down the Skinners Falls Bridge? Next public meeting is Tuesday, Tri-County Independent, December 12, 2024

Skinners, stalled, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, December 11, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge will be removed by crane, disassembled, by Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent, November 28, 2024

Dismantling leaves restoration on the table for Skinners Falls Bridge, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, November 27, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge is falling apart. Now it will be taken apart, by Chris Mele, Delaware Currents, November 21, 2024

After Skinners Falls Bridge Dismantled, PennDOT Says Future Reconstruction Plans Still Uncertain, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, November 13, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge to be Dismantled; Public Meeting Scheduled, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, November 12, 2024

Dismantled, not destroyed: Skinners Falls Bridge at risk of 'temporary' teardown, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, November 8, 2024

Skinners Falls Bridge to be dismantled, by Vincent Kuzrock, Sullivan County Democrat, November 12, 2024

Emergency repairs set for Skinners Falls bridge; Calkins Creek bridge eyed for replacement, by Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent, October 10, 2024

Inspection Report, redacted, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), October 11, 2024

Dismantled, not destroyed: Skinners Falls Bridge at risk of 'temporary' teardown, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, October 8, 2024

UDC: Protect river users from rotting bridge, now - PennDOT removes hanging brace, says there’s no immediate danger, by Pamela Chergotis, The River Reporter, August 9, 2024

Discussing Skinners Falls Bridge restoration: Work on historic bridge to be topic at UDUUF open mic, The River Reporter, July 2, 2024

Four-bridge rehab: Work will start on two bridges and finish a third as the fate of Skinners Falls-Milanville remains uncertain, by Laurie Ramie, The River Reporter, May 31, 2024

PennDOT Explains Unconventional Skinners Falls Bridge Meeting, Next Steps, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, May 8, 2024

Concerned Citizens Create Art to Preserve Skinners Falls Bridge, by Tim Bruno, WJFF Radio, May 21, 2024

Preserve history, say Skinners bridge advocates: Public comment period ends May 26, by Pamela Chergotis, The River Reporter, May 2, 2024

Preserve history, say Skinners bridge advocates, by Pamela Chergotis, The River Reporter, April 29, 2024

Protesting residents to PennDOT: “Whose bridge? Our bridge!”, by Isabela Weiss, WVIA News, Report for America, April 26, 2024

Residents get the skinny on the Skinners Falls Bridge, by Chris Mele, Delaware Current, April 26, 2024

Report: What is to become of the historic Skinners Falls Bridge?, by Cloey Callahan, Delaware Currents, July 31, 2023

Can Skinners be saved? Report on bridge says yes, assessment process continues, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, June 14, 2023

How WE can help save and rehab the Skinners Falls-Milanville bridge by Barbara Arrindell, The River Reporter, June 20, 2023

Historic Bridge Rehabilitation Analysis Phase 1 SR 1002 (Skinners Falls Road) over Delaware River, PennDOT/AECOM, May 2023 [Note In this historic bridge rehabilitation analysis, which is also on the Project's web page, PennDOT and AECOM describe the bridge as absolutely repairable and present a number of alternative options. AECOM was paid millions in public funds for this report, and involving countless hours of stakeholders' time and formal written comments.]

Is it the end for an ‘utterly spectacular’ Pa. bridge? The Skinners Falls Bridge, which spans the Delaware River, has been closed since 2019 in Wayne County, Pa., Philadelphia Inquirer, August 2, 2022

Studying Skinners Falls, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, July 5, 2022

The public is talking, but who's listening?, by Liam Mayo, The River Reporter, January 6, 2022

The Fight to Save a Small-Town Bridge: Reflections on Infrastructure, Placemaking, and Community Engagement, by Ruby Brinkerhoff, Carolina Planning Journal, Historic Preservation Archives, University of North Carolina, July 9, 2021

Not in my front yard - Property owner weighs in on bridge project, by Owen Walsh, The River Reporter, May 5, 2021

UDC Supports Rehabilitation of Historic Skinners Falls Bridge, Upper Delaware Council, April 23, 2021

Exploring and restoring a river crossing, editorial by Laurie Stuart, The River Reporter, April 14, 2021

Interview with conservationist Ed Wesley, by Rosie Starr, WJFF Farm & Country, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, April 8, 2021

Future of Skinners Falls Bridge up in the air, by Isabel Braverman, Sullivan County Democrat, April 8, 2021

NY-PA Joint Interstate Bridge Commission Will Study Fate of Skinners Falls-Milanville Bridge, by Laurie Ramie, Upper Delaware Council, October 16, 2020

The extraordinary Milanville Bridge, by Ed Wesely, The River Reporter, May 23, 2018

A bridge for Milanville: The story of the Skinners Falls bridge, by Ed Wesely, The River Reporter, originally published in 2017

PennDOT plans to reopen the Skinners Falls bridge, by Eric Deabill, Pennsylvania Home Page, April 15, 2016

Wayne County Bridge Closes, Does Not Pass Inspection, by Brittany Lovette, WNEP TV, December 11, 2015

Pennsylvania Historic Survey nominating the Skinners Falls Bridge to the National Register of Historic Sites, March 10, 2001

Bridge closed for inspection, Scranton Tribune, 11/9/1999

Repairs planned for walks on bridge, Scranton Times, by Bob Tomaine, May 28, 1994 (Excerpt: "PennDOT... will continue to monitor a crack in an abutment on the Skinners Falls Bridge...")

PennDOT trying to quiet bridge, Scranton Times-Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 27, 1994

PennDOT working on bridge problem, Scranton Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 27, 1994

Marker to be remounted on bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, June 4, 1992

PennDOT will monitor crack in bridge over Delaware River, Scranton Tribune, May 9, 1991

PennDOT will monitor crack in bridge, Scranton Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 9, 1991

Crack in Skinners Falls Milanville Bridge monitored, Scranton Tribune, by Bob Tomaine, May 9, 1991

State's share of bridge funding received, Scranton Times, by Bob Tomaine, May 9, 1991

Repairs to bridge over Delaware cost $1.2 million, by Bob Tomaine, Scranton Times, May 9, 1991

Skinners Falls bridge closed - Details of new repair plan, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue May 7, 1987

Milanville Bridge closed again, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, April 30, 1987

Bridge open! [photo], The River Reporter, November 6, 1986

Milanville Bridge to reopen, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, October 30, 1986

Bridge pins removed - Repairs to historic bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, September 4, 1986

Milanville Bridge progresses [photo], The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, August 28, 1986

Keep off bridge - "no trespassing" on Milanville Bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, August 7, 1986

Bridge out, The River Reporter, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, July 24, 1986

Hangin' out [photo], The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, July 10, 1986

Problems plague workers at Milanville Bridge, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, June 19, 1986

Skinners Falls bridge closing for repairs, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, May 29, 1986

Bridge repairs in June, The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, May 15, 1986

Open bridge in summer - COUP asks for reschedule, The River Reporter, February 6, 1986

Don't sever the artery (Editorial), The River Reporter, by Tom Rue, February 6, 1986

Skinners Falls bridge to close for repair, The River Reporter, by Ed Wesely, January 30, 1986

Group claims five bridges have deficiencies, Scranton Times, by Jerry Makarevich, February 12, 1981

Crossing the Delaware River Via Toll Bridges: Port Jervis, Pend Eddy, Barryville-Shohola, Narrowsburg, Milanville, Cochecton-Damascus, Callicoon, Kellams-Stalker, Lordille-Equinunk, Hancock, Arthur N. Meyers (Tusten Historian), Delaware Valley Press, Narrowsburg, NY, 1970, pp. 15-16

Milton L. Skinner, 89, River Raftsman, Dies, Middletown News Herald, December 21, 1936

Historical Society makes pilgrimage to Wayne County, Scranton Tribune, July 26, 1932

Historical Society Meets at Honesdale, Wayne County Herald, February 27, 1926 [Excerpt: "...History of the Milanville Bridge Association also given by Mr. Buss..."]

Many court cases, Scranton Tribune, July 26, 1923 [Excerpt: "In the matter of dissolution of the Milanville Bridge Company, hearing fixed for September 10."]

Milanville Bridge goes on free list, Carbondale News, April 28, 1923

Notice to Bondholders of the Milanville Bridge Co., The Citizen, November 22, 1911

Seek to Buy All Toll Bridges, Pike-County-Dispatch, March 9, 1911

A Letter from Candidate Fuerth upon the "Free Bridge" Question, Wayne County Herald, October 8, 1906

Calkins [notes], Wayne County Herald, June 27, 1904 [Excerpt: "The Owego Bridge company have taken the contract to reconstruct the bridge at Milanville and have it ready by September 1st. Workmen are already on the ground. The ice and water did not come within several feet of the bridge bed at the time of the flood, but the piers, not being sufficiently anchored, were pushed down stream bodily by the fearful pressure and a portion of the bridge dislocated and carried down the river for about a mile. This part will be shipped back to the factory and the iron work straightened, to be returned again to Milanville. The money to carry on this work is raised by an issuance of bonds."]

Damascus [notes], Wayne County Herald, November 7, 1904 [Excerpt: "It is reported that Eli Keesler was drowned in the Delaware at Shohola last week while trying to run the timber used for the false work in the Milanville bridge to Pond Eddy where the Owego Bridge Co. have another contract."]

Delaware Valley Again Flooded - Ice Gorge at Cochecton Cause of Great Trouble - Cochecton and Milanville Bridges Carried Away - Cause Due to Moving of Piers, Wayne County Herald, March 31, 1904

Night of Terror at Cochecton - Devastation and Ruin Mark the Work of a Terrible Flood There on Saturday Night - Many People Homeless Along Upper Delaware - Residences and Business Places are Swept From Their Foundations, Bridges at Cochecton and Milanville Swept Away - Many Barns, Sheds and Outbuildings Are Crushed Like Egg Shells, The Tri-State-Union, March 31, 1904

Milanville Bridge gone, Pike County Dispatch, March 31, 1904

Widespread Ruin About Cochecton - The Delaware Overflows Its Banks and Floods the Lowlands - Buildings Swept Away In The Torrent - Two Spans of the Cochecton Suspension Bridge and One of the Milanville Structure Collapsed, The Evening Gazette, March 28, 1904

Milanville [notes], Wayne County Herald, April 16, 1903 [Excerpt: "All this proves that the handsome bridge across the Delaware, erected last year, must in the near future pay fair dividends. In the building of our bridge we met with better opposition from a neighboring town but thank to the energetic measures taken by those in this vicinity a charter was secured and a fine bridge erected in 1902. Much credit is due to the efficient management of the president of the Milanville Bridge Co., M.L. Skinner."]

Milanville [notes], Wayne County Herald, April 9, 1903 [The New bridge located just above Skinner's mill is one of the finest on the Delaware and is already arousing considerable commercial activity...]

Abutment Letting, Wayne County Herald, August 28, 1902 [Excerpt: "The building of the abutments for the Milanville bridge, Damascus township, near grist mill, will be let to the lowest and best bidder at above plan on Monday August 25, 1902..."]

News By The Wayside, by R.L. Marks, Wayne County Herald, December 5, 1901 [Excerpt: "From Damascus we traveled the river road to Milanville, passing by the old 'Ross Homestead,' now owned and occupied by Jas. Orr, upon whose farm is an excellent quarry from which the Milanville Bridge Company are getting some splendid stone for the piers and abutments of their new bridge, now under course of construction by the Horseheads Bridge Co., under the able supervision of P.J. Collins. When completed this will prove of great benefit to Milanville, opening up the Lake Huntingdon [sic] section across the river by a proposed new highway to run from that popular resort to Skinner's Switch at the New York State end of the Milanville bridge, where a new milk depot will be erected by the Erie, and possibly a new station. The people of Milanville are to be complimented upon their enterprise in the furthering of this project."

Governor Stone affixes his signature to a Number of Measures, The Gazette, May 9, 1901 [Excerpt: "Incorporating the Milanville Bridge Company, Wayne County.]

Traveler's Tales, The Tri-States Union, February 21, 1901 [Excerpt: "The citizens of Milanville, Pa., are rejoicing in the prospect of a new bridge across the Delaware river at that place..."]

Hereabouts and Therabouts, Wayne Co. Herald, 3/30/1899 [Excerpt: "A $15,000 iron bridge is soon to span the Delaware at Milanville. The money to build it has been pledged. Work will be begun right away, and it is expected that teams may cross it in early autumn. The bridge will be a great convenience to people living on both sides of the river, and we trust will furnish an easy way for the summer boarders of Sullivan to come over and see the inducements Wayne holds out to their kind. Milanville ought to be easily reached as nine highways converge at the village."