Old Jug Bridge

Old Jug Bridge viewed from the eastern side. blimpcaptain (Atlas Obscura User)

Between 1808 and 1809, a four arch stone bridge measuring 425 feet 5 inches was constructed over the Monocacy River. A jug-shaped monument was placed at the east end of the bridge, which inspired the moniker “The Jug Bridge.”

Initially, the bridge supported horse drawn carriage and wagon traffic. As the automobile era unfolded, it became part of the National Old Trails Road, and by the mid-1920, it was US Route 40.

J.W. Grove wrote in a 1928 article that “this bridge will stand until the hills around are torn to pieces.” It had been built by local architect Leonard Harbaugh, one of the greatest stone masons of his time.

Over the next two decades, however, the increase in automobile traffic and the impact of moisture caused the bridge to bulge and crack. By 1939, the Washington Post was reporting on potential plans by the Maryland State board to raze the 131-year-old bridge. This was a hot-button issue with many local residents who felt the beloved structure was still in good repair.

On March 3, 1942, a section of the bridge collapsed. Just over a month later, the remaining arches were demolished in order to clear the pillars for a temporary wooden trunk bridge to carry traffic until a new bridge could be constructed.

On November 4, 1944, a high open spandrel bridge (Jug Bridge 2) was opened in place of the original bridge. In 1955, it was relegated to supporting westbound traffic while a new parallel deck truss bridge (Jug Bridge 3) was built to support eastbound traffic.

In 1985, a horrific accident occurred in which a Baltimore Motor Coach Company bus carrying seventeen passengers crashed into the guardrail killing or injuring everyone on board. The driver and one other passenger were ejected from the bus and thrown 80 feet down onto the back of the Monocacy River. Four other passengers were killed, and the other twelve were injured. Despite the crash being attributed to operator error, this incident was the death knell for Jug Bridge 2.

Today, traffic in both directions is carried on Old National Pike over Jug Bridge 3. The current structure is clearly visible from the deck Jug Budge 2, which is now covered in graffiti and plentiful patches of grass and weeds that will eventually reclaim the bridge on behalf of mother nature.

One particularly poignant tag that reads “Not All Who Wander Are Lost” is a slightly misquoted, unattributed gem from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring.” The full quote reads:

“All that is gold does not glitter,Not all those who wander are lost;The old that is strong does not wither,Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

Know Before You Go

The east abutment of the original Jug Bridge can be found at the end of Dr. Baxter Road. The west abutment of the original Jug Bridge can be found near the west bank arch of Jug Bridge 2.

Jug Bridge 2 can be accessed from the east by parking at the park & ride and walking past the barriers and down the abandoned road. There is also an approach on the west side down another stretch of abandoned road.

The bridge appears to be in surprisingly good shape since it was closed down in 1985, but there are obviously risks involved in walking onto or across the bridge that has been abandoned for almost four decades.