The Farm River Stone Arch Bridge has entered the news, and I believe that the above photograph taken ca.1830 is a picture of the original 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 above photograph is of the 1644 bridge. Also a commendation to her 5th grade class interested in and working for the preservation 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 structure. The text below from the from Sarah Hughes' History of East Haven comments on the building of the replacement bridge:
Stone Arch Bridge July 25, 1876. At a special town meeting the condition of the stone arch bridge was taken into consideration, and a committee appointed by the chair, consisting of Alfred Hughes, Willet Hemingway and Timothy Andrews, to consider what was best to be done. 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 below, most probably taken in the 1880s or the 1890s, is of the current Farm River Stone Arch Bridge. The bridge has also been called the Stephen Bradley Bridge.
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.
