Northeast celebrates its
historical bridge to the past

By David J. Foster

Staff Writer

Fred Moore's voice echoed from the arches as he warbled his homage.

"That old stone arch bridge is still standing today, o'er the Pennypack Creek on the old King's Highway. Sixteen- ninety-seven to this century's edge, traffic's still crossing that old King's Highway Bridge."

Surrounded by a cold, damp mist, Moore's emotional song conjured the bridge's ghosts.

"Where Indians waded, wagon wheels failed, and William Penn ordered that a bridge be availed," Moore sang.

Cecelia Johnson's poem continued the story.

"Caissons rumbled, soldiers marched, first British, then Colonial, the Brits embarked. And the bridge did not crumble," she read.

"Billy Yank crossed the arches of stone to Johnny Reb's loss," she continued, "then trekked home while the creek cleansed the dross."

Last weekend, one day after William Penn's birthday, the spiritual heirs of Penn, Billy Yank, Johnny Reb, and presidents from Washington to Grant, gathered in Pennypack Park at the King's Highway/Frankford Ave. bridge to mark its 300th anniversary.

The event opened with a ceremonial crossing that symbolized John Adams' journey to the Philadelphia debates on independence, and George Washington's inaugural march to New York.

"When I was walking over that bridge I could feel the spirit of William Penn, and he was smiling down at us," said U.S. Rep. Robert Borski (D-3). "He would be very proud of the people of Holmesburg, and that his bridge is still standing."

"We are so lucky that we have this (park) system," said State Rep. Michael McGeehan. (D-173). "We are so fortunate that we can enjoy this."

Standing in the bridge's stoney shadow, Harvey Cantor, of the Friends of Pennypack Park, described the necessity for such a celebration.

"It is to bring to the attention of the people the rich heritage of the bridge and the surrounding Holmesburg community," he said. "Unfortunately, the bridge has been taken for granted."

How many of the daily commuters, Cantor wondered, who cross the bridge heading toward Center City "even know there is a bridge here at all?"

As Cantor told the over 1,000 residents who gathered in Pennypack Park at Frankford (formerly King's Highway) and Solly aves., William Penn commissioned the bridge, built in 1697, to link Philadelphia and the state to the markets of the northern colonies. Within three generations it would become known as the road to the Continental Congress and independence.

Each speaker who saluted the 300 year old bridge reminded the audience that some architectural structures withstand change even as the communities around them evolve with time.

McGeehan and State Rep. Dennis O'Brien (R-169) sponsored a state House resolution memorializing the anniversary, while City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski (D-6) read a City Council citation honoring the bridge as an architectural marvel. "I am glad that all of us who live in Northeast Philadelphia have come to appreciate this area," said City Controller Jonathan Saidel. "For too long (some) have acted likeCenter City is the focal point of the history of Philadelphia. We have to teach our kids about the history thatis around them."

That is why the 300th anniversary was created by local historian Eleanor Birkmann.

Though the day celebrated the bridge, Birkmann, 93, was singled out for her drive to make the anniversary a learning experience for the youngest Northeast residents.

The anniversary included songs and displays by the area's elementary schools. During the speeches, St. Dominic's student Tom Beal stood at attention in his Colonial garb.

"We have to preserve this area to make sure our children have the opportunities to do what we have done," Saidel said. And it's just as important, he continued "that this bridge will be 600 years old and still in use."