Lower Bridge- Nov. 29, 1905 Belfast, Me. 258

Lower Bridge- Nov. 29, 1905 Belfast, Me. 258

"Lower Bridge- Nov. 29, 1905 Belfast, Me. 258" Waterfront, Coast, Buildings, Town Scene, Sailboats, Boats, Schooner, Bridge View of the lower bridge, as seen from the east side looking west. The draw can be seen at the western end of the bridge. The bridge, as originally built, was one hundred and twenty-two rods long and twenty-eight feet broad ; the posts were from thirty to fifty-eight feet in length. The terminus on the western side was near the house of Captain William O. Alden, from which Pleasant Street then extended to a point nearly opposite the Alfred Johnson house. The eastern terminus was near that of the present bridge. The cost of the structure was $19,000. Two wharves adjoining the draw, each eighty by twenty feet, were constructed by Jonathan Wilson, at an additional expense of $1,300. Mr. Wilson became the first toll-gatherer. Tolford Durham succeeded him in 1808, paying $1,350 for the privilege. The toll was let to Apollos Alden in 1810. After him came James McCrillis, who held the position with occasional intervals until 1830, and paid upon an average $500 per annum. An Act of the Legislature, passed in 1812, allowed a charge "for every curricle, twenty-five cents; for every phaeton or other four-wheeled pleasure carriage, on springs, drawn by two horses, thirty cents; and for every stagecoach, chariot, coach, or coachee, drawn by four horses, forty cents." The shares of the corporation were worth thirty-six dollars in 1817. In 1830, the bridge had become much out of repair, and people were afraid of it. During a heavy north-west squall, on the evening of December 13th of that year, about twenty-five rods were carried away. A portion landed on the shore of Long Island. Immediately before the accident, an ox-team had passed safely over. Three years previously, Ralph C. Johnson and others represented in a petition to the Legislature that the bridge was in a ruinous state. An extension of the owner's charter was asked for by the proprietors; but, being met by a large remonstrance, the petitioners had leave from the Legislature to withdraw. In 1866, the following enactment was made:- An Act to enable the City of Belfast to build and maintain a Free Bridge over Tide-Waters. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled, as follows : - SECT. 1. The City of Belfast is hereby authorized and empowered to build and maintain for ever a free bridge over tidewaters in Belfast, across the river or bay where the lower bridge, so called, is now located, or at any other place between that point and the foot of Main Street, as the city may deem for its interest and the public convenience. SECT. 2. Said city shall construct and maintain a suitable and convenient draw in said bridge, for vessels to pass and repass, and shall see that the same is opened for the passage of vessels at all times, when application shall be made therefor. SECT. 3. On and after the expiration of the charter for the lower bridge, so called, all right and interest in and to said bridge, with the appurtenances thereto belonging, which may vest in the State of Maine, are hereby granted to the City of Belfast for its use in maintaining or building a free bridge. This Act was duly accepted by the city; and at the expiration of the charter, Dec. 31, 1866, the bridge was duly surrendered, and became as it now is a free bridge, sustained by the public. John Stephenson was appointed the first draw-tender, at a salary In 1881, about two thousand dollars was expended in repairing this bridge and in erecting a new pier. In 1885, extensive repairs were made, costing between three and four thousand dollars; about half of the roadway being covered with cedar and gravel. Travel was suspended for two months, and foot passengers were carried across by a ferry.The draw in the Lower Bridge was rebuilt and other repairs made in 1899. In 1900, the defective condition of the Lower Bridge rendered thorough and immediate action necessary to provide a safe and suitable highway across the harbor. A change of location to the foot of Main Street was urged, but after careful consideration by the City Government, it was determined to build an entirely new structure, upon the site of the old one.