Description: On the bottom margin the writer states: "A white spot marks the place on the bank where the bridge commenced”. This scene looks north across the Reading Railroad right-of-way and the Schuylkill River. Upon the hill in the distance is the mansion of the Weatherall family, who made their money in the lead industry. Approximately 1/3 mile west of Valley Forge Memorial Chapel on Route 23, on the north side of the road, is a sign notating the old defensive position called “Star Redoubt.” From an essay from January 1939 by Crosswell McBee, found in the TEHC Quarterly, Volume 2 Number 1, is this description: “Upon the earthworks of that ancient fort there is an iron marker, with arrow pointing northeastward, reading ‘To Sullivan’s Bridge.’ In the days of Washingtons occupation, there was a road leading from Star Redoubt, slightly east of north, to a bridge over the Schuylkill River known as Sullivans Bridge. The distance between the Redoubt and the bridge was perhaps a third of a mile. The bridge may have been upheld in part by a pier or piers built upon the island lying in the Schuylkill at that point. Both the bridge and the road leading to it from the redoubt have disappeared. It may have been a double width road, or two roads running parallel. Star Redoubt commanded this road and bridge.” - Herb Fry and Roger Thorne. The white spot in the image is not just a spot it is the first monument placed in VFNHP, installed by the veterans who helped construct the bridge. Per VFNHP Archivist DMcD
