Go back

    Lower Bridge over the Dennys River, Dennysville, Maine

    Photograph
    Historical views of the Lower Bridge over the Dennys River with the Methodist Episcopal Church, boats, wharves and other structures on the Edmunds side of the Dennys River, in these photographs by Dr. John P. Sheahan, c. 1880. Two contemporary photographs record the remains of the stone abutment on the Edmund side of the bridge.

    At plantation meetings, 1801-1806, one hundred dollars was raised annually for roads (man's labor; one dollar per day; and ox labor, fifty cents.) In 1800 fifty dollars was also raised for bridges. At the annual meeting of 1807, it was voted that a new bridge be built across Dennys River Fall. At the same meeting, in discussing plans for a bridge below Crown Brook, Pembroke, reference was made to the cost of "that now across the Dennys River," Although there was no indication whether that meant a bridge near the mills or one near the church and school, it appears that it was a recently built Lower Bridge. When a replanking job was undertaken on that structure in September, 1893, it was discovered the stringers were rotten. Traffic was suspended and the span used only for a foot bridge until the schooner " Native American" brought hard pine stringers on June 5, 1894. A pencil sketch drawn by Thomas Lincoln shows a bridge having no railings and no substantial stone abutments, that may be the one to which reference was made in 1879 and upon which repairs were made in 1894, or even may have been a predecessor of that one. The most recent Lower Bridge was built by Willis Leighton in November and December of 1915. constructed with hard pine caps and stringers, this bridge rested on stone abutments which are still in evidence on either side of the river. The expense was shared by the State ($1,000), Dennysville (over $600), and Edmunds (more than $300). This bridge spanned the river below the church and schoolhouse until 1955, although during the last few years before its removal it was used only by pedestrians. As well as providing a convenience for traveling back and forth between Edmunds and Dennysville, the Lower Bridge was a part of a favorite route for riverside walks "around the bridges," the distance being just slightly more than a mile. From Rebecca W. Hobart, "Dennysville 1786-1986 . . . and Edmunds, Too!" 2nd ed., Dennys River Historical Society, pp. 11-12.

    Dennys River Historic PhotographsJohn P. Sheahan CollectionPhotos for Map

    Lower Bridge Views

    The Lower Bridge over the Dennys River in Summer; The Lower Bridge is seen from the road in front of Dennysville's Lincoln House with the Methodist Episcopal Church and other structures visible on the Edmunds side of the Dennys River, in this photograph by Dr. John P. Sheahan, c. 1880.
    Lower Bridge over the Dennys River, with Aaron Hobart House, boats and wharves.; Photograph by Dr. John P. Sheahan of Edmunds, Maine. Lower Bridge Abutment, Dennys River, Edmunds, Maine; Stone abutment marking the eastern end of the Lower Bridge over the Dennys River in Edmunds, Maine. Abutment of the Lower Bridge , Dennys River, Maine; Stone abutment marking the eastern end of the Lower Bridge over the Dennys River in Edmunds, Maine. Lower Bridge over the Dennys River, c. 1890; View of the Lower Bridge over the Dennys River as seen from behind Gardner's store in Dennysville, Maine. Photograph by John P. Sheahan, courtesy of the Tides Institute, Eastport, ME. Lower Bridge in Winter, Dennys River, Maine; Winter ice necessitated the careful protection of the pilings supporting the Lower Bridge, in this view from Edmunds, looking across the ice choked tidal estuary of the Dennys River, in this photograph by John P. Sheahan, c. 1890. The Lincoln House in Dennysville is visible through the trees.