September 2024
Arch bridges have been used for several thousands of years, going back to the Roman Empire. While true arches were known by Etruscans and ancient Greeks prior to their use by the Romans, it was the latter who realized their usefulness for bridge construction. Over the centuries, arch bridges have been built out of masonry, concrete, wrought iron, cast iron, timber and structural steel.
The Stone Arch Bridge in Kenoza, New York, is a solid masonry, stone arch bridge, that formerly carried vehicular traffic over the East Branch Callicoon Creek in Sullivan County, not far from the site of the legendary Woodstock Music and Arts Festival of 1969.
Built around 1880, it was built by Swiss immigrants Henry and Philip Hembt as a three arch bridge, made with hand cut stones and spanning 98-feet in length and around 15-feet wide.
As the years went by, traffic changed from horse-drawn carriages to motor vehicles of increasing size, eventually necessitating construction of a new bridge to handle larger and heavier vehicular traffic. After over six decades of use, the Stone Arch Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1945, when State Route 52 was diverted slightly to the south.
Now handling only pedestrian traffic, the Stone Arch Bride is a National Historic Site and centrepiece of a 20-acre park that includes walking trails along Callicoon Creek and a children’s playground. The park is a peaceful and beautiful spot amidst the bustle of the Catskills, and has become a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and photos.
Site of a murder
This picturesque park and bridge has a dark past as one of Sullivan county’s most notorious murder.
It was on the Stone Arch Bridge in January 1892 that Adam Heidt murdered his brother-in-law, George Markert, whom Heidt believed had used witchcraft to curse him. Heidt believed the only way to reverse the curse was to kill Markert three times over running water, which is why he chose the bridge. Apparently, Heidt shot, stabbed and beat Markert, after which he was thrown off the bridge and into the creek.
Heidt died in the State Lunatic Asylum at Middletown in 1897.
Some believe the Stone Arch Bridge is haunted to this day by the ghost of George Markert.
Sources: Stone Arch Bridge Historical Park | Sullivan County NY (sullivanny.us), Exploring Stone Arch Bridge Historical Park in the Catskills – Uncovering New York, Arch bridge – Wikipedia, American Catskills | Stone Arch Bridges of Sullivan County, New York.
