On Sept. 23, 1908, a portion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad bridge span between Garrett Island and the Cecil shore collapsed just as the last of a freight train of loaded coal cars passed over. One span of 377 feet across the Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace and all the falsework supporting the bridge structure fell into the deep water. Twelve coal cars at the end of the train dropped into the river, but the locomotive had successfully crossed and remained intact. Only one person was injured. The second B & O Railroad bridge was rebuilt and redesigned to carry the heaviest of trains and reopened in 1910. It is still in use today.

Source: Six Susquehanna Bridge Crossings: Thirteen Bridges by John McGrain. Harford Historical Bulletin, Number 92, Spring 2002. pgs. 48-52.

Compiled by the staff of the Harford County Public Library.