Remembering Old Bridge that Served from 1930-2023
By Alyssa Coustenis, Reporter
Work began on the Red House Bridge replacement project in December 2023 with demolition of the bridge beginning of March 2024. Old Bridge is the 3rd bridge of Red House, NY. It was constructed in 1931, hasn’t been maintained since 1980. It has been rapidly deteriorating since.
Until Route I-86 was constructed the bridge and roadway served as a direct route from Salamanca to Steamburg. Red House Bridge along with Quaker Bridge and Onoville Bridges were vital to the development of the hamlets around them that included homes, railroad stations, stores, post offices, Longhouses, churches, and schoolhouses.
There was a total of three Red House River bridges that were constructed since 1860. The very first Red House Bridge was constructed in 1860 as a wooden horse and buggy bridge. The second Red House Bridge was constructed in 1871.
The 1st Red House bridge, 
Red House 2nd bridge, 1922. Photo courtesy of Bob Schmid. 
2nd bridge – Photo courtesy of Bob Schmid. 
Old bridge being constructed in 1929 – Photo courtesy of Bob Schmid. 
Old bridge under water in 1972, hurricane Agnes. 
3rd Red House bridge in 1963 was originally green. 
Old bridge in 1991. Photo courtesy of Bob Schmid.
Old Bridge stood as a reminder of pre and post Kinzua times. It never stopped connecting us to each other for the 93 years it existed, providing and holding important memories to the history of the Allegany Territory. This past 2023 Remember the Removal Walk (RTR) was dedicated to Old Bridge as the first ever RTR walk was held there 1984.
Dennis Bowen Sr. talked about days where he’ll drive across the bridge and see a Red House person’s granchild and instantly be brought back to those times. He vividly remembers learning how to drive, fish, and relaying river reports to the older folks. He felt all the changes happening around him, but he can remember that bridge staying the same.
Dennis feels it’s very appropriate and important to keep in mind that every single family and bridge from Kinzua carries their stories unique to them, just like Red House. It’s a deep feeling of respect for all the families that lived all the way down the Allegany. Whether it was Red House, Quaker, or Onoville people. Part of that story includes realizing that so much was burned. Houses, stores, schools, trees, plants, medicine.
One thing that wasn’t burned and reminded them was the Red House bridge. The river and bridge were a part of a way of life that connected sharing, compassion, and closeness. It had taken on a meaning and represented a connection to the land and life they lived before the dam and forced removal.
The $19.9 million state Department of Transportation project is ongoing, half the bridge remains on the Steamburg side. Construction of the 4th bridge is expected to be completed in Fall of 2025 with a life expectancy of 75 years. There are plans to add features to or around the bridge that include a recreational area for fishing, canoeing, gathering and atv trails.
Along with replacing Red House bridge, the DOT contract involves replacing Old Route 17 with gravel from Breed Run Road to Bunker Hill Road as well as installing a 2,565-foot-long protective rock wall to stop the river from flooding the road.
Weso’ nya:wëh to Bob Schmid.
