International Bridge between Calais and St. Stephen, N.B., ca. 1940

Contributed by Penobscot Marine Museum

Description

The Ferry Point "steel bridge" as it became known was built to replace the wooden covered bridge, which had spanned the St. Croix since 1845.

The opening of the "steel bridge" in 1895 was the occasion of the greatest celebration ever seen in the St. Croix Valley. Up until this time all three bridges across the St. Croix had been toll bridges, a fact much resented by the local populace on both sides of the river.

However with the beginning of the international street railroad a new, much sturdier steel bridge was required to support the weight of the streetcars. As it was no longer feasible to collect tolls, the towns of Calais and St. Stephen bought all the bridges and they became "free."

On the day the bridges officially became free almost every citizen in the two towns who could walk paraded the four-mile loop from Calais to Milltown, across the Milltown bridge to Milltown New Brunswick, then back to St. Stephen and across the "steel bridge" to Calais. It is said the line was unbroken for the entire length of the march.

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About This Item

  • Title: International Bridge between Calais and St. Stephen, N.B., ca. 1940
  • Creation Date: circa 1940
  • Subject Date: circa 1940
  • Location: Calais, Washington County, ME
  • Media: Glass Negative
  • Dimensions: 12.7 cm x 17.75 cm
  • Local Code: LB2007.1.114244
  • Collection: Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co.
  • Object Type: Image

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For more information about this item, contact:

Penobscot Marine Museum
PO Box 498, 5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(207) 548-2529
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