Crossing the Gut


The first swing bridge in South Bristol, ca. 1910

The first swing bridge in South Bristol, ca. 1910
Item 79592   info
South Bristol Historical Society

A new bridge was built in 1891 but it was still not a draw bridge; furthermore, it collapsed during the Fourth of July celebration in 1902.

Apparently one of the floor timbers broke while people were standing on the bridge to watch the celebrations. Damages were claimed by at least three people for the injuries they sustained.

When the next bridge was built in 1903 it was a swing bridge as had been requested as far back as 1849, swinging open by rotating to the west.

The first bridge tender was Charles Clifford who was paid a total of $82.95 the first year to operate the hand-crank swing span.

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