RIVER BRIDGE STATE PARK

Astride the Casselman River just east of Grantsville stands the historic Casselman River Bridge. Originally constructed in 1813, the single arch stone bridge once served the old National Road, which linked Cumberland, MD with the Ohio River. The stone arch of the bridge is 26 feet wide, 3 feet thick, and from end to end spans 80 feet, making it the largest bridge of its type in America at the time of its opening. It was reportedly made longer than necessary in hopes that the proposed Chesapeake and Ohio Canal would someday pass underneath.

The presence of the Casselman River Bridge helped make the surrounding area, known as Little Crossings, a thriving center of commerce and transportation, with many stagecoaches, wagons, horsemen and foot travelers utilizing the bridge during their travels. Many buildings appeared during this economic boom, including a store and inn which remains today as the Penn Alps Restaurant and Craft Shop. The advent of the railroads in the 1840s resulted in cheaper travel. The National Road went into decline, but eventually acquired more interest and funding for road developments in the early 20th century to accommodate a newer means of transportation: the automobile. The bridge continued in service until a new steel bridge was built along modern U.S. 40 in 1933. The State of Maryland restored the old stone bridge in the mid-1950’s, and it is now the center of Casselman River Bridge State Park, Maryland’s smallest State Park at 4 acres. Today, visitors can view one of the most photographed places in Garrett County, enjoy a picnic in the gazebo, or fly-fish the scenic Casselman River. Waterless, accessible restrooms are located on site.