Stone Bridge View

As you are standing in the parking lot, look to the right or upstream to view Location 1 on this tour.

The Edna Dean Proctor Bridge is the town’s iconic double arch stone bridge which was originally built in 1835. This photo is a good representation of a typical water level in the river. Notice the building on the right end of the bridge and the proximity of the foundation to the river. You will learn throughout the tour that many early structures were built on the edge of the riverbank.

This photo was taken in the afternoon of March 19, 1936. Just prior to the time the photo was taken, an ice jam had accumulated behind the bridge. It took more than an hour to clear the jam. When it was released a torrent of water raced under the arches. The water torrent caused minor damage to the bridge and repairs to loose stones were made.

This is a recent image of the bridge after widening renovations occurred in 2000.