The bridge with no keystone
A state marker says the old Stone Bridge was built without a keystone. See the replica at Stone Bridge Park, then try building an arch at home.
- Who
- Families, Kids
- Ages
- 6+
- Time
- About an hour
- Cost
- Free
- When
- Any time of year
- Show up
- At Stone Bridge Park.
How to do it
- At Stone Bridge Park, find the 36-foot replica bridge built from the old bridge's stones (our tour cites the state marker).
- Our tour says the original was about 450 feet long with six arches and collapsed after heavy rain on Feb. 2, 1969.
- At home, try making an arch from sugar cubes, blocks or books. What holds it up?
Grown-ups’ part
Come along, keep it short and fun, and let the kids lead the looking and asking. You handle anything that involves calling, sending or sharing.
Think about it
How does an arch carry weight without falling? Why might builders skip a keystone?
Safety and respect
Stay on paths and off the riverbank; a grown-up stays close by the water.
Why it matters
Exploration & critical thinkingMake history fun for families & kidsHistorical context
Related
- Our walking tour (each stop lists its own sources)
- Our Fayetteville history page
- Find the date on three markers
- Draw the square: 1886 and today
- Ask a grandparent: what was on the square?
- All 150 things to do together
Sources
- Our walking tour (each stop lists its own sources)
- HMdb: Stone Bridge state marker
- HMdb: Fayetteville Stone Bridge (marker text)
Know better? If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us.
Did it? Send us your photo or story. We print kids’ first names, faces or photos only with a parent’s OK.