The Parkton Stone Arch Bridge in Baltimore County, Maryland, holds the distinction of being the oldest bridge in the state. This 37-foot-long structure, built between 1800 and 1810 as part of the Baltimore and York Turnpike, remains in use today, though its traffic is minimal.

The bridge features a classic stone arch design with two arches constructed primarily from unshaped local stone. Flat stones were carefully placed radially around the arches, adding structural integrity and a distinctive appearance. Nestled in a rural, wooded area just outside the boundaries of Gunpowder Falls State Park, the bridge stands as a rare relic of Maryland’s early 19th-century transportation network, which relied heavily on turnpikes for overland travel.

While the bridge once saw more frequent use, particularly with its proximity to the Northern Central Railroad built in the mid-1800s, it now serves only limited traffic. A dead-end stretch near the bridge provides access to two homes and a small parking lot for visitors to the nearby rail trail, preserving its historical and functional legacy.

For more information and to view photos of the Parkton Stone Arch Bridge see Historic Bridges. 

If you would like your county featured in Fun Facts, please get in touch with Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.