Wayland in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Old Town Bridge
Near Here are Buried
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
1. Old Town Bridge Marker
Panel 1
Old Town Bridge
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Foot-bridge and ferry until a cart-bridge in 1643
First frame bridge in Middlesex Co.
First Four-arch stone bridge in Massachusetts.
Over this the Indians were were forced in King Philips invasion
Washington crossed here in passing through the town.
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Panel 2
Near Here are Buried
James Hosmer John Barnes Samuel Potter Daniel Bomy Joseph Buttrick David Burry Josiah Wheeler William Hayward
And others of Concord who were slain by the Indians Apr. 21, 1676 while going to assist the settlers of Sudbury.
Erected by Wayside Inn Chapter D.A.R. Oct. 4, 1908.
Erected 1908 by Wayside Inn Chapter D.A.R.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series lists.
Location. 42° 22.528′ N, 71° 22.75′ W. Memorial is in Wayland, Massachusetts,
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Haynes Garrison House (approx. half a mile away); Site of the Haynes Garrison House (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Sudbury Colonists (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Town Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sudbury (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Goodnow Garrison House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Goodenow Garrison House Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); Men of the Sudbury Fight Monument
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
2. Old Town Bridge Marker (panel 2)
Regarding Old Town Bridge. Old Town Bridge is also known as Russell Bridge in some resources.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Concord Men Slain by Indians - Find-a-Grave.
At the time of the interrment, the graves were in the Town of Sudbury, but are now part of the Town of Wayland.(Submitted on June 7, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Access to the memorial is via an unpaved road to the left of the Wayland Golf Club located at 121 Old Sudbury Road in Wayland. The monument is at the end of the road and at the east end of the "Four Arch Bridge." (aka "Old Town Bridge" or "Russell Bridge").
2. Bridges - History of Sudbury.
In the work of bridge building Sudbury has had fully its share from the first.(Submitted on June 7, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. Old Town Bridge - Wayland Museum. Historic Photograph: "Old Town Bridge" - Wayland, Mass (1930)
A bridge on this site in the early l640's that was used(Submitted on June 9, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)to connect the west side with the east side is reportedly the first frame bridge in Middlesex County. Later a Cart bridge on this is site proved of strategic importance during King Philip's War in driving the Indians from the east side and preventing re-entry. During the Revolutionary War period, it was traversed by many soldiers. Paul Revere is known to have used this route in 1774 on a journey to the Continental Congress.Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 20263. Old Town Bridge MarkerInscriptions on west and south faces of monument. North and east are unfinished.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
4. Old Town Bridge Marker
South face of marker with Sudbury River marshes in distance north of the bridge.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
5. Old Town Bridge Marker
To the west of the marker the entrance to the bridge is blocked for vehicles allowing only pedestrians. Today this crosses to a central isle, but does not cross to Sudbury.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
6. A View from Old Town Bridge
This bridge is no longer in service since the road was moved south vs. earlier days. The bridge does not cross the entire river at this point, where there are two branches. There is a narrow walking path along the bridge that is lightly maintained. Beware of abundant robust poison ivy.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
7. Old Town Bridge
View looking south east to the bridge in the direction of the marker after crossing on foot.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, June 6, 2026
8. Old Town Bridge Marker
The marker is visible from a significant distance at the end of the dirt road along the west side of the Wayland Country Club fairway.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 29 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 6, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 5. submitted on June 9, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 6, 7. submitted on June 6, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 8. submitted on June 9, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
