Conn_River_RR_bridge.pdf
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions 3/10 for completing this form. FORM F − STRUCTURE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Photograph Locus Map Please see Continuation Sheet. Recorded by: Bonnie Parsons Organization: PVPC Date (month /year): May, 2011 Assessor’s
Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number 19-A Easthampton NTH. Town/City: Northampton Place (neighborhood or village): Address or Location: off Damon Road, across Connecticut River Name:
Boston and Maine Railroad Bridge Ownership: Public Private Type of Structure (check one): ___ boat or ship ___ canal ___ carousel ___ dam ___ fort ___ gate ___ kiln ___ lighthouse ___
pound ___ powderhouse ___ street ___ tower ___ tunnel ___ wall ___ windmill __x_other (specify) bridge Date of Construction: 1887 Source: bridge date plaque Architect, Engineer or Designer:
G. M. Tompson, Chief Engineer; R. F. Hawkins, Builder, Springfield. Materials: Granite, Granite, iron, wood Alterations (with dates): Condition: good Moved: no yes Date: Acreage: over
one acre Setting: This bridge crosses from Northampton to Hadley across the Connecticut River and Elwell’s Island beneath it. 905
INVENTORY FORMF CONTINUATION SHEET NORTHAMPTON/HADLEY Off Damon Road MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 1 NTH. 142 Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form. Use as much space
as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets. DESIGN ASSESSMENT Describe important design features and evaluate in terms
of other structures within the community. The Boston and Maine Railroad bridge is an iron, simple-span bridge that is nine-spans in length. It is a Warren, double, through-truss bridge
approximately ¼ of a mile in length, 20’ high and 25’ wide. The bracing system consists of two angled portals at each end of a segment followed by X-braces made up of lattice trusses
that are supplemented by iron rods. The upper chords anchor cross trusses across the top of the bridge. Its nine spans vary in length and are supported by dressed granite block embankments
and wing walls on the Northampton end and the Hadley end and by granite piers located in the Connecticut River bed and on an island in the river known as Elwell’s Island. The bridge
has been adapted to rail-trail use, so now has a wooden deck and side railings on its interior. HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Explain the history of the structure and how it relates to the development
of the community. This bridge was built by the Boston and Maine Railroad Company in 1887, but on the Form F of 1980 it says, “This bridge was built for the Mass. Central Railroad. The
line split off the main north-south railroad in the center of town and headed east north of Ridge Street. After crossing the river the railroad continued east through Hadley and Belchertown
to a junction with the Athol line. The bridge crosses over Elwell’s Island, and has two abutments there. On the Northampton end of the bridge are two oval plaques. The first state: ‘G.M.
Tompson – 1887 – Chief Eng’r, and the second: R. F. Hawkins – Builder – Springfield. Mr. Hawkins was one of the most prominent bridge builders of the late 19th century. His iron bridges
can be found throughout New England and the surrounding states. “ BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Beers, F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873. Hales, John G.
Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831. Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia,
1895. Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884. Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.
INVENTORY FORMF CONTINUATION SHEET NORTHAMPTON/HADLEY Off Damon Road MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 2 NTH. 142
INVENTORY FORMF CONTINUATION SHEET NORTHAMPTON/HADLEY Off Damon Road MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 3 NTH. 142