![]() The bridge remained open to vehicular traffic until 1955, after which it has since been open to pedestrian traffic only. The three arch bridge, constructed of hand-cut native stone, crosses the East Branch Callicoon Creek, a major tributary of the Delaware River. The Stone Arch Bridge was constructed in 1872 by Henry and Phillip Hembdt, brothers and recent German immigrants, in order to support the growing commercial needs of the county, particularly farming, timbering and tanning. The third bridge is the simply named Stone Arch Bridge, one of the most recognizable sites in Sullivan County. The Tusten Stone Arch Bridge is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Fortunately, through an agreement with the National Park Service, the bridge is publically accessible along the beginning section of the 3-mile Tusten Mountain Trail, an interesting hike with outstanding Upper Delaware Valley scenery. Benjamin Tusten, “an American militia volunteer and physician, who was killed as he ministered to the wounded at the Battle of Minisink on Jless than ten mile to the south of this settlement.” The bridge and the surrounding land have been owned by the Boy Scouts of America since 1927 for their use an educational camp. As per the bridge’s application form for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, the bridge is named in honor of Dr. The two arch bridge, constructed of native bluestone, is approximately 52 feet long and 15 feet wide and continues to operate as a single lane vehicle bridge for local traffic. ![]() The bridge crosses the Ten Mile River just northeast of its confluence with the Delaware River. (“Uncle Billy”) Hankins, a local timber raftsman, stone mason and occasional postmaster. The second bridge is the Tusten Stone Arch Bridge which was constructed in 1896 by William H. The Hankins Stone Arch Bridge is included on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hankins Stone Arch Bridge is probably the least visited of the three bridges. The historic bridge and the creek it spans are likely named in honor of John Hankins (1803-1847), who established the first permanent settlement here in 1835 with a home, store, sawmill and blacksmith’s shop. The bridge, now open to pedestrian traffic only, has been restored and is home to a small roadside park. The bridge remained a vital creek crossing for local traffic until 1973 when it was abandoned. It is approximately 40 feet long, 15 feet wide and is made of local bluestone and Rosendale cement. ![]() The single arch bridge crosses Hankins Creek just north of its confluence with the Delaware River. Inman, a local mason and quarryman, in order to link the hamlet of Hankins to the river community of Long Eddy. The first of three stone arch bridges in Sullivan County is the charming Hankins Stone Arch Bridge which was constructed in 1905 by John B. Regional visitors can easily visit all three in a ½ day tour (and leave time for other attractions along the way). All three bridges played an important role in the development of their respective communities and are therefore listed on the National Register of Historic Places as “rare and intact example(s) of traditional stone arch bridge construction.” For photographs of all three bridges, visit the Structures page within the Gallery. Sullivan County is home to three beautiful and historic stone arch bridges, the Hankins Stone Arch Bridge, the Tusten Stone Arch Bridge and the simply named Stone Arch Bridge.
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