Stone Bridge

Specialties

The historic Stone Bridge is lighted in colorful LED lights for three hours each evening, beginning with a half-​hour lightshow. Afterward, the bridge is lighted in a color scheme that reflects religious or secular holidays (Christmas, Yom Kippur, July 4, Valentine’s Day, etc.), special observances or events (Steelers games, World AIDS Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, etc.) or the time of year.

The bridge lights are administered by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, which owns and operates the adjacent Peoples Natural Gas Park.

Visit the Johnstown Area Heritage Association’s website, as linked above, to find out when the bridge will be lighted on any given evening, and what colors it will be (and why).

History

Established in 2011.

The bridge itself was built just a few years before the great Johnstown flood of 1889. Tragically, it blocked tons of debris that came crashing down the valley in the floodwave. As the waters receded, a fire broke out and killed several dozen people trapped in the debris. The bridge became an international symbol of the flood and its horror.

It continued to serve as a railroad bridge, and around 1910 was expanded so that more tracks could be added, which covered the original stone façade on the side of the bridge facing town.

In recent years the bridge’s appearance had begun to deteriorate. A group of citizens formed the Stone Bridge Lighting Project, with the goal of restoring the bridge façade and lighting the structure. The project, which was administered by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, was completed in 2011 after a multi-​year effort.

Meet the Manager

Shelley J.

Manager

I’m the director of communications at the Johnstown Area Heritage Association.

Stone Bridge also recommends

Johnstown Flood Museum

12

reviews

Museums

Shelley J. says,

«This is the place to go to learn about the 1889 flood — the event that made the bridge famous.»

Inclined Plane

16

reviews

Landmarks & Historic Buildings

Shelley J. says,

«A ride on the Incline is a great way to see the lights!»

City View Bar & Grill — CLOSED

19

reviews

Shelley J. says,

«Located atop the Incline. You can enjoy the bridge lights from many of the City View’s tables.»

Peoples Natural Gas Park

Park & Forests

Shelley J. says,

«Located adjacent to the bridge, this special-​events venue is a great place to enjoy the bridge lights.»