In June 1860, Lancaster County commissioners accepted proposals for building a bridge at Benjamin Harnish's mill between Martic and Pequea Townships, and a few months later in October 1860 Davis Kitch Sr. (1812-1895), a blacksmith by trade, built the original bridge here for $1,284. In 1872, Thomas Baumgardner (1816-1900) purchased the adjacent mill property, repaired the aging mill, and installed new machinery. After coming to Lancaster in 1839, Baumgardner was active in the mercantile and coal business, was one of the originators of the cotton mills in Lancaster, and built five large tobacco warehouses in Lancaster City. He sold the mill to his son and business partner in 1891, but the bridge retained his name. The bridge was rebuilt in 1987 after heavy flood damage.