The original bridge on Route 21 at Masontown was built in 1925. It replaced the ferry service established in 1769, crossing the Monongahela River.
The original Masontown Bridge.
The original structure was a truss bridge. And, in the 1930s, it required a 5-cent toll to cross.
Pap on his 1934 Harley
My grandfather, “Pap,” as I called him, had a 1934 Harley Davidson and would spend free days riding with a group of friends. Once, as they returned home to Uniontown, they needed to cross the bridge but needed the requisite nickel. In the spur of the moment, they stormed the bridge, throttles wide open, disregarding the toll.
Hearing him tell the story, it had been a spontaneous and unanimous decision amid the ride with no discussion.
1990 Pap, and I picked up a used 1988 Magna that I still ride. I spend most of my time on Route 40, heading up into the Laurel Mountains, riding routes from Pap’s riding days that he had mapped out for me.
My Magna on Route 40 at the summit overlook.
The Bridge at Masontown on my Magna. (2020)
Occasionally, I find myself coming through Masontown and heading back to Uniontown. When I do, I storm the bridge. Throttle wide open in tribute to Pap’s memory. Take every chance to do it. Pap passed the legacy of “The Black Ace” on to me when we picked up my bike. If I get a ticket, I’ll tell the officer my story and accept the ticket with pride.
The old truss bridge is long since gone, and I remember a bridge with green girders from my youth. I don’t recall it ever being a toll bridge in my lifetime. Today, it’s a long stretch of highway concrete, high above the river, with no view to speak of. Smooth, easy to get up some speed on.
Besides, they’ll never catch the Black Ace.
Well, there is this.
