Newburyport in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
First Bridge Over the Merrimack River
Photographed by Marc Belanger, April 18, 2011
1. First Bridge Over the Merrimack River Marker
The first bridge over the navigable
waters of the Merrimack River was
erected by Timothy Palmer in 1792.
It was superseded in 1810 by a
chain suspension bridge built by
John Templeman from plans furnished
by James Finley of Fayette County, PA.
February 6, 1827 the supporting chains
gave way and the bridge with a heavily
loaded ox cart fell into the river.
It was rebuilt during the following
summer and maintained as a toll bridge
until August 4, 1868, when it was
laid out as a public highway.
Under authority of an act of the
General Court of 1908, it was again
rebuilt in 1909, by the
county commissioners of Essex County.
Moody Kimball,
James C. Poor,
John M. Grosvenor, Jr.
County Commissioners.
George P. Swain, consulting engineer.
Robert R. Evans, county engineer.
Holbrook Cabot & Rollins Corp Builders.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical date for this entry is February 6, 1827.
Location. 42° 50.005′ N, 70° 54.389′ W. Marker is in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It is on Spofford Street north of Merrimac Street, on the right when traveling north. Located inside
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chain Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers of All Wars Marker (approx. Ύ mile away); Soldiers and Sailors of Newburyport 1861-1864 (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Volunteer (approx. 0.8 miles away); Approach to Carr's Ferry (approx. one mile away); Amesbury Riverwalk (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Large Packet Ship Dreadnought (approx. 1.2 miles away); Macy-Colby House (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newburyport.
Photographed by Marc Belanger, April 18, 2011
2. Location of Marker on the Chain Bridge
Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 24, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. 2. submitted on December 30, 2024, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the bridge and the marker and its surroundings. • • • Can you help?
