Newburyport in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Chain Bridge
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 1, 2024
1. Chain Bridge Marker
Open to travel November 26, 1792
Built in seven months under the direction of Timothy Palmer
Rebuilt as a suspension bridge 1810
Rebuilt 1828 and maintained as a toll bridge until 1868
In 1909 it was again rebuilt by the Commissioners of Essex County
Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1792.
Location. 42° 49.99′ N, 70° 54.384′ W. Marker is in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It is on Spofford Street 0.1 miles north of Merrimac Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Spofford St, Newburyport MA 01950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Bridge Over the Merrimack River (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers of All Wars Marker (approx. Ύ mile away); Soldiers and Sailors of Newburyport 1861-1864 (approx. Ύ mile away); The Volunteer (approx. Ύ mile away); Approach to Carr's Ferry (approx. one mile away); Amesbury Riverwalk (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Large Packet Ship Dreadnought (approx. 1.1 miles away); Macy-Colby House (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newburyport.
Also see . . .
1. Amesbury-Newburyport Chain Bridge 1810-1909 (PDF). Slide presentation detailing the bridge's design, construction and history. (Mike Harrold, Amesbury Carriage Museum, April 6, 2018) (Submitted on November 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Chain Bridge (Massachusetts).
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 1, 2024
2. Chain Bridge Marker
Unknown; via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
3. 1792 Amesburyport-Newburyport Bridge
This period drawing looks eastward toward Deer Island and Timothy Palmer's original wood truss bridges, the first long-span trusses built in the U.S. Palmer turned them into covered bridges in 1808, but the span on the right (Newburyport) side was replaced with a chain bridge in 1810.
Detroit Publishing Co. Collection, Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division (Public Domain), circa 1900
4. 1810 Chain Bridge
This wrought-iron chain suspension bridge was built to a patented design by James Finley, a Pennsylvania engineer. Considered the first suspension bridge in America, it was replaced i 1910 by the current, lookalike bridge.
Photographed by Marc Belanger, April 18, 2011
5. Chain Bridge Marker
Duplicate marker on Newburyport side.
Photographed by Marc Belanger, April 18, 2011
6. Chain Bridge
View from Newburyport side.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 5, 6. submitted on December 24, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear photo of entire marker. • Can you help?
