James Finley (1756-1828)

James Finley (1756-1828) is a Pennsylvania historical marker in Uniontown, Fayette County, dedicated 2008.

Uniontown Public Library, 24 Jefferson St., Uniontown

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In 1808 Finley obtained the first US patent for a suspension bridge. His first rigid chain bridge, which once spanned nearby Jacob's Creek, exemplified the ingenuity of Finley's design. Bridges following his patented design were built in several other states, and he is considered a pioneer of the modern suspension bridge. A Uniontown resident, he served as a judge and a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

Historical maps covering this location

1804 · Pennsylvania. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1807 · Map of Virginia (upper center sheet) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1810 · United States of America, northern part. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1811 · A Map Of The State Of Pennsylvania. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1823 · Pennsylvania. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

Pennsylvania, 1804, covering the location of James Finley (1756-1828), with a pin at the marker's coordinates — Pennsylvania, 1804, covering this location. David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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