York-Lancaster Inter-County Bridge at dusk with Original Lights
Returning from Atlantic City the other night, I decided to get off Route 30 at Columbia and traveled Route 462 the rest of the way home. Almost all of the new 1930s style lanterns were in place on the bridge and were lit. It was a pleasant sight, just like in this cropped view from an old postcard in my collection. Not only were the ugly cobra lights gone, but also their hideous orangish-yellow illumination was replaced with a pleasing blanket of white light.
Bridge Names (Official & Otherwise)
Lancaster-York Inter-County Bridge—The name when the bridge was dedicated on November 11, 1930. This is the first official name.
York-Lancaster Inter-County Bridge—The name of the bridge on picture-side of the abovementioned postcard in my collection.
Columbia Bridge—The name of the bridge, as noted on the reverse side of the same postcard.
Wrightsville-Columbia Bridge—Emulates York-Lancaster Inter-County Bridge name, for those living in York County.
Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge—Emulates Lancaster-York Inter-County Bridge name, for those living in Lancaster County.
West Hempfield Township River Bridge—I heard this name several weeks ago in Lancaster County. It turns out, all the distance that the bridge is over water, that is West Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.
Veterans Memorial Bridge—The second and current official name, via a rededication November 11, 1980, upon the fiftieth anniversary of the bridge.
The reason for the official name change is told in the plaques originally placed at both ends of the bridge when it was first dedicated in 1930.
