A single lane, 158 foot long Iron bridge was erected here in
1888 by the Penn Bridge Company of Beaver falls, Pennsylvania. It
was named “The Wilson Shute Bridge” after Robert Wilson, an early
settler along the banks of French Creek. Replaced in 1997, a modern
concrete and steel span now takes it’s place.
French Creek flows over it’s banks here at least once a year,
usually during the spring thaw. This is what makes the bottom land
south of here so fertile. It also floods the Wilson Shute road,
sometimes for a distance of up to 100 yards, and up to 4 feet
deep.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission maintains an access
area just below the bridge. It’s a favorite launch place for
canoers and kayakers who float downstream to Shaw’s Landing,
Cochranton, Utica, and Franklin.