Crim Dell bridge, Wooden footbridge at College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, United States
Crim Dell bridge is a curved wooden footbridge on the campus of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, spanning a small pond surrounded by American beech trees. The structure sits within a wooded patch near the center of campus, making it one of the more sheltered spots on the grounds.
The current bridge was built in 1966, replacing an older and simpler wooden structure that had stood on the same spot. It takes its name from alumnus John W. H. Crim, whose family contributed funding toward its construction along with other donors.
Among students at the College of William & Mary, a tradition holds that crossing the bridge with a romantic partner brings good luck, while crossing it alone brings bad luck. This belief shapes how many students choose to use the bridge, especially around graduation.
The bridge is open year-round and sits close to the center of campus, making it easy to reach on foot from most buildings. The surrounding wooded paths can be slippery after rain, so wearing appropriate footwear helps when visiting in wet conditions.
In 2009, researchers found a previously unknown bacterial strain in soil samples taken from the pond below the bridge and named it after the site. This gave the bridge an unexpected place in scientific literature, separate from its role in campus life.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
