Meredith's Ford Covered Bridge

During the 1800s The Great Gunpowder Falls was often crossed by wagon bridges and railroad bridges. Meredith's Ford Bridge was located in the lower area of Baltimore County east of Timonium. The Baltimore Sun carried an article on May 23, 1888 detailing the destruction of Meredith's Ford Covered Bridge:

MEREDITH'S FORD BRIDGE BURNED--Meredith's Ford bridge, a covered wooden structure over the Gunpowder at the junction of the Dulany's Valley and Towsontown, the Dulany's Valley and Sweet Air and Dulany's Valley and Jarrettsville turnpikes, about four miles from Towsontown, and at the head of Loch Raven, was burned down yesterday morning about 6 o'clock. It was built about eight years ago, and it will require about six thousand dollars to replace it. There was no insurance upon it. The county commissioners at their meeting yesterday decided to take immediate steps to rebuild the bridge after consulting with Mr. Shipley, bridge superintendent, about the matter.

The Maryland Journal, on May 26, 1888 also carried an article about the burning of Meredith's Ford Bridge.

The Maryland Journal reported on June 9, 1888 that a contract was awarded to the Canton Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio, for building an iron Pratt truss bridge to replace the covered bridge.

The old covered bridge was located just downstream of the current bridge crossing. The road was relocated on account of developing Loch Raven in 1914 and 1922.

UPDATED: 04-07-2011 for additional newspaper article about burning of bridge and for confirmation of an iron bridge to replace the covered bridge. (Thanks to John McGrain for providing information about Meredith's Ford Bridge.)