Kingsley viaduct turning 100

BY PAT FARNELLI
Times-Shamrock Correspondent

Nearly 100 years ago, while the much celebrated Nicholson Bridge was under construction, a similar viaduct was being erected in nearby Kingsley, roughly nine miles north.

Now, the Brooklyn Historical Society has plans underway for a Bridge Day of their own, as the Martin’s Creek Viaduct approaches its 100th birthday.

Last Wednesday, Brooklyn Historical Society members voted to officially set the date for the celebration as Sept. 5, about 100 years from the day of the bridge’s completion.

According to local lore and photographs at the Susquehanna County Historical Society, residents and workers celebrated the event by dressing in their most formal attire or Sunday best and dancing atop the span, in what was then called a “Cloud Dance.”

The Martin’s Creek Centennial Celebration committee has seized upon this particular tidbit of history for its celebration theme.

Member Cindy Reynolds has painted a rough rendering of a couple of the period dancing on the new bridge, with sunset clouds in the background.

As the date approaches, the historical society has been brainstorming for appropriate festivities to celebrate their landmark.

Historical society member, and acting committee chair Dave Palmer hopes that one of the Steamtown trains can make a trip to the bridge during the event.

A dance of some sort, whether on the bridge itself or on a nearby dance floor outdoors, is part of the plan, and a dance competition with points for talent and/or authentic clothing is in the works, Palmer said.

Vendors will be sought, and souvenirs are being designed as well.

During the kick-off meeting, the group discussed the name of the bridge, which may or may not have been named after a person (Martin’s Creek) or after an animal, the pine marten, a small mink like animal that used to live along the creek until the pine and hemlock forests were cut down for lumber.

“There is nothing embossed on the bridge that officially identifies its correct spelling,” several members agreed.

Palmer read an excerpt from a newspaper clipping of a century earlier which described an eruption near Kingsley like that of the volcano Mt. Vesuvius, as a result of the railroad using 3.5 tons of dynamite to make a cut through solid stone for the railroad there.

“They moved a lot of earth putting these railroads through,” Palmer said. “When they did cuts, they weren’t moving just dirt, it was pure rock.”

Richard Zick II made a motion to adopt Sept. 5 as the event date, which is the Saturday before Labor Day, and the weekend prior to Nicholson Bridge Days.

The historical society members have been taking advantage of social media and are utilizing volunteers and resources from all over the region. Several nearby churches are interested in participating, and so far Southwestern Energy has agreed to be a sponsor of the event. The Lenoxville Band has agreed to provide musical entertainment, and several vendors have already signed on.

A commemorative model train car similar to that commissioned for the Nicholson Bridge’s 100th anniversary is in the works as well.

The historical society is constructing a parade float to raise awareness for the event, which will be entered in the Memorial and July 4th parades and taken to the Harford Fair and the Old Mill Historic Village.

According to Ralph Christianson, president of the Brooklyn Historical Society, the Harford Historical Society and the Nicholson Heritage Association also have plans to join in the celebration.

“Volunteers to help this once-in-a-lifetime effort are always welcome,” Palmer said. If you would like to volunteer or have questions regarding this effort, please contact him at 570-498-6637.