The Portage Viaduct

I first visited Letchworth State Park in November 2000, and since then, it’s become a place I return to time and again. Whenever I’m in the area—regardless of the season or the weather—I make it a point to stop by. Over the years, I’ve camped, hiked, rafted, and taken hundreds of photographs throughout the park. Of all the parks in New York State, Letchworth remains my favorite. Considering the breadth of natural areas and historic sites across the state, that distinction carries weight.

Over the past two decades, the park has evolved in meaningful ways. The gorge has always been breathtaking, whether during its time as William Pryor Letchworth’s country estate, through the improvements made by the Civilian Conservation Corps, or in its current form. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth has earned national recognition, especially following its rehabilitation and development in the mid-2000s. In 2015, USA Today readers named it the best state park in the country. It continues to be featured in travel publications, news segments, and magazines.

One of the first landmarks I encountered at Letchworth was the Portage Viaduct—a towering steel structure that marked the entrance to the park. For more than a century, trains crossed this span, which dated back to 1875. It was a striking sight and a defining feature of the Upper Falls landscape.

In 2015, construction began on a new bridge to replace the historic viaduct. After 140 years of service, the original structure was retired. The new steel arch became only the third bridge to span this section of the Genesee River, which remains an active rail corridor, and opened in 2017. Today, the viaduct is known as the Genesee Arch Bridge.

The photographs and videos that follow, taken between 2001 and 2023, document the transformation of this iconic part of the park.

Video of the Upper Falls and the New Genesee Arch

Photos of the Original Portage Viaduct Span

Photos of the Genesee Arch Bridge