Telephone Float, Belfast, Me., Oct. 8, 1921. (Cook Photo)

Telephone Float, Belfast, Me., Oct. 8, 1921. (Cook Photo)

"Telephone Float, Belfast, Me., Oct. 8, 1921. (Cook Photo)" "Telephone Week", View of Penobscot, Ships This "Telephone Week" float is in a parade of members of the American Legion on Bridge Street featuring veterans of World War 1. The parade on October 8, 1921 featuring the American Legion, members of the Company F of the Third Maine and assorted floats representing Belfast's businesses on the occasion of the dedication of the new Memorial Bridge (dedicated to the veterans of the First World War) The Memorial Bridge, Maine's largest memorial to the veterans of World War 1 was completed in 1921. The $400,000.00 bridge was dedicated in October before the largest crowd in Belfast history by Governor Percival Baxter. Talk had begun in 1920 concerning construction of an auto bridge to cross the Passagassawakeag River. This bridge would replace the old wooden bridge in place at the time. Initially the location being discussed for construction of the bridge was at the foot of Main. It was concluded that construction of a bridge at that location would be too costly due to the lengthy span required. It was decided to locate the bridge between the sardine and fertilizer plants. On June 5, 1920 the existing bridge collapsed under the weight of a 4 ton truck loaded with film. Construction began on the new bridge 3 days later with arrival of 40 men and 10 railroad cars full of equipment. The bridge remained in service until the construction of a Route 1 bypass and the new Veteran's Memorial Bridge which was dedicated on September 3, 1963.