Farm River Stone Arch Bridge Historical Photographs

The Farm River Stone Arch Bridge , and I believe that the photograph taken ca.1830 is a picture of the original wooden bridge built in 1644 that stood where the current Farm River Bridge now stands.

Former East Haven Historian and author, Doris Townshend comments:

A wooden bridge with stone supports had been built across the river in 1644 on the route to Branford  (path to Totoket) from East Haven...(1)

Donald Chidsey also commented on the 1644 bridge:

...it was found that the old wooden bridge that spanned the Farm River just to the west of Lake Saltonstall, was in danger of collapse and in its place, a stone arch bridge was erected. (2)

A thank you to Dana Nelson, 5th Grade Teacher at Tuttle School, for the realization that the photograph is of the original 1644 bridge. Also a commendation to her 5th grade class- interested in and working for the preservation of East Haven history. The class, the East Haven Historical Society and other interested individuals are working to preserve the 1876 Farm River Stone Arch Bridge which replaced the 1644 wooden structure.  The text below from the Sarah Hughes' History of East Haven comments on the building of the replacement bridge:

July 31, 1876 Alfred Hughes, chairman of the committee, reported that it was the unanimous opinion, that there was no other way but to rebuild the bridge. It was in a very dangerous condition, the sand had washed out five feet under the abutment, and that it hung shelving with danger of falling any day. Voted, "The Selectmen be authorized and instructed to build a bridge, with 28 ft. in the clear, the foundation to down to solid rock. The work to be done as soon as possible, also given power to contract and receive proposals for the same." (E.H. Town Rec.) (3)

The photo of the current Farm River Stone Arch Bridge was most probably taken in the 1880s or the 1890s. The bridge has also been called the Stephen Bradley Bridge.

Please visit the Archival Blog for this and other interesting stories of East Haven's history.

http://hagamanlibarchives.blogspot.com/ You may also visit our website at http://www.hagamanlibrary.info/  The library's blogs are listed on the right.

1. Townshend, Doris "The Farm River and Its Role in New Haven County History" Journal of the New Haven Colony Historical Society 44/No 2 (1988): 8. Print.

 2. Chidsey, Donald "First Federal Researches Bridges and Transportation in Early East Haven." The Journal-Courier (New Haven) 29 April, 1974. Print.

3. Hughes, Sarah The History of East Haven New Haven: Tuttle, Morehouse &  Taylor Press, 1908.