Connecticut Bridges
There are many historic bridges throughout Connecticut, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Listed below are just a few to get you started.
Frog Bridge in Windham was built as a tribute to the Windham Frog’s Legend. It has 4 concrete spools each topped by a 14 foot decorative brass frog. Also in Windham is the 1906 Victorian Foot Bridge. The Victorian Bridges crosses a river, a road and a rail line and is the only one of its kind east of the Mississippi River. Lastly, Windham’s Golden Bridge is lined by decorative planters filled with bright colored seasonal flowers.
West Cornwall’s Covered Bridge is a 172 foot long bridge across the Housatonic River. It was built in 1864 using red-spruce timbers and secured with slotted and wedged treenails at every intersection. In 1973, it was rehabilitated with concealed steel decking to bear the weight of traffic which earned it the Federal Highway Administration award. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Crossing the Salmon River near Colchester-East Hampton is the covered truss, 110 foot long Comstock Bridge. The bridge, built in 1873, is the only existing example of a wooden pony truss in Connecticut. Its most recent renovation was in the early 1970’s.
Kent, home to Backcountry Outfitters, is also the site of the 1842 timber truss Bull’s Bridge. Since its original construction, the Bull’s Bridge-named for Isaac and Jacob Bull- has undergone several alterations to make it stronger and or higher, but these enhancements have not disguised the bridges historic integrity.
The 22 foot stone arch Pequabuck Bridge in Farmington was built in 1830 and is one of the oldest masonry bridges in the state. It was originally designed as part of the main route between Meadow Road and Great Plains. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic places since 1984.
Other Connecticut bridges
River Road Bridge, abandoned railroad over River Road, Colchester, 1887 stone arch
Riverside Avenue Bridge, Riverside Avenue over Metro North, Greenwich,  1871 iron truss
Main Street Bridge (Bridge No. 1626), Main Street over Whitehead Connector, Hartford, 1833 stone arch
Lover's Leap Bridge, Pumpkin Hill Road (bypassed) over Housatonic River, New Milford, 1895 iron truss
Boardman's Bridge, Boardman Road (closed) over Housatonic River, New Milford, 1888 iron truss
Saugatuck River Bridge (Bridge No. 1349), Route 136 over Saugatuck River, Westport, 1884 iron-truss swing bridge
Stone arch, Kinsman Road Extension under Providence & Worcester Railroad, Lisbon, c.1850
Stone arch, Hartford Road over dry ditch, Manchester, c.1900
Concrete arch, Wadsworth State Park Path over Laurel Brook, Middletown, 1908
Pratt truss, abandoned road over Pootatuck River, Newtown, 1890
Stone arch, Middle Haddam Road under Air Line Railroad (abandoned), Portland, c.1890
Stone arch, Bates Avenue over Little Dam Tavern Brook, Putnam, c.1840
Stone arch, Arch Street over Providence and Worcester Railroad, Putnam, 1901
Photo Credits: Comstock Covered Bridge by Tony The Misfit; Long Covered Bridge by Liz West |
