Belfast in Waldo County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Memorial Bridge
Belfast, Maine
| — | The Museum in the Streets | — |
Photographed by James True, May 29, 2012
1. Memorial Bridge Marker
The first bridge to span the Passagassawakeag River at this site was built by private investors in 1806. Known as the Lower Bridge and made of wood, it featured a drawbridge which allowed schooners to travel up the river as far as the wharfs at City Point. In June 1920, three days before construction was to begin on a new concrete and granite bridge, a truck carrying movie films broke through the draw (see inset). The new bridge, known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge was dedicated to the veterans of WWI by Gov. Percival Baxter on October 8, 1921.
The pronunciation of Passagassawakeag is PAS-SAG'-AS-SA-WAU'-KEAG. It is a Penobscot Indian word meaning "Sturgeon-His Place" or the more descriptive version, "the place for spearing sturgeon by torchlight."
Erected 2004 by The Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number 22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Belfast, Maine series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1920.
Location. 44° 25.87′ N, 69° 0.602′ W. Marker is in Belfast,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Midcoast Maine and on Penobscot Bay. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Biggest Little City / Une Grande Petite Ville (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Mayor / Le premier maire (approx. ¼ mile away); Stylish Lodging / Une résidence chic (approx. ¼ mile away); Making a Living / Gagner sa vie (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Silver Screen / Le septième art (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Belfast Historical Society Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Circus Comes to Town / Le cirque arrive ! (approx. 0.4 miles away); Captain Albert W. Stevens / Le Capitaine Albert W. Stevens
Photographed by James True, September 1, 2012
2. Memorial Bridge Marker
More about this marker. Marker #22 (of 30) in "The Museum in the Streets". The text on the Marker is in English, followed by a French translation.
Photographed by James True, September 1, 2012
3. Memorial Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2012, by James True of Newark, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text • Can you help?
