Great River in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Locust Bridge
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 8, 2017
1. Locust Bridge Marker
In the late 1800s a bridge was built from here over West Brook to what was called "Paradise." The bridge provided Mr. Cutting with a direct route to the South Side Sportsmen's Club, where he was a member. The bridge was built with locally cut locust trees so it would blend well with its natural environment. At 250 feet long and 20 feet wide, the bridge had ample room for a horse-drawn carriage and later cars. In later years, Mrs. Cutting drove her electric car across the bridge to have lunch at the South Side Sportsmen's Club.
The shores on each end of the bridge were planted with a variety of flowers. Mrs. Cutting was fond of walking here on the trails; it was the only area of the Cutting estate that remained in its natural state. When the Cutting's daughter, Olivia, was taken here as a little girl, she exclaimed, "This is Paradise!" After that, both the family and the staff referred to the area by that name. The locust bridge was dismantled in the early 1960s. At low tide, the remains of the wooden support structure can still be seen.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts.
Location. 40° 44.559′ N, 73° 9.352′ W. Marker is in Great River, New York, in Suffolk County. Marker can be reached from
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Connetquot River (within shouting distance of this marker); Neighbor Across the Way (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spike Tooth Harrow (approx. ¼ mile away); Oliver Farm Plow (approx. ¼ mile away); Hay Rake (approx. ¼ mile away); Manure Spreader (approx. ¼ mile away); Sickle Bar Mower (approx. ¼ mile away); The Country Home (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great River.
More about this marker. The marker overlooks the Connetquat River and former site of the subject bridge.
Also see . . . South Side Sportsmen's Club. Wikipedia entry:
In 1886, a club was chartered under the name of "The South Side Sportsmen's Club of Long Island". The first article of the constitution of the association stated, "This club is established for the protection of game birds and fish and for the promotion of social intercourse among its members." By 1907 there were one hundred members including George Slade, William Bayard Cutting, John Cochrane, Frank Hall, George De Witt, Esq., Daniel Fearing,
2. Marker detail: Locust Bridge
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 8, 2017
3. Marker detail: Locust Bridge Locust Bridge end view
Mrs. Cutting and her daughter, Olivia James, in the electric car, ca. 1942.
4. Marker detail: South Side Sportsmen's Club, ca. 1920s.
5. Marker detail: South Side Sportsmen’s Club, main entrance, ca. 1912
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 8, 2017
6. Locust Bridge Marker (wide view; Connetquat River & former bridge site in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 8, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
