Choate Bridge, Stone arch bridge in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Choate Bridge is a stone arch bridge spanning the Ipswich River in Ipswich, Massachusetts, featuring two arches and constructed entirely from roughly dressed granite blocks. The structure today carries Routes 1A and 133 across the river and handles several thousand vehicles each day.
The bridge was built in 1764 and is the oldest documented bridge in Massachusetts. It was expanded later and remains one of the most important surviving examples of early American infrastructure.
The bridge takes its name from Colonel John Choate, who oversaw its construction and refused payment from the town for his work. This generosity made it an important landmark in the community's development and memory.
The bridge is accessible via the main road and can be crossed on foot, though regular vehicle traffic should be considered when visiting. It is best viewed during daylight hours when light brings out the details in the granite construction.
The structure displays two different building methods in its sections: the original western part uses lime mortar, while the eastern section added in 1838 employs dry-laid stonework. This difference remains visible today in the joints and surface texture.
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