Echo Bridge

Echo Bridge is a stone arch structure that spans the Charles River with seven granite arches, connecting the communities of Needham and Newton Upper Falls. The structure sits within the Hemlock Gorge Reservation and measures about 500 feet in total length.

The structure was built between 1875 and 1877 and was the second longest masonry arch in the United States at that time. It originally carried the Sudbury Aqueduct System and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The bridge takes its name from the sound reflections that occur when noise bounces along the arch and over the water. Visitors can experience these echoes themselves by making sounds from above or below and observing how the natural acoustics of the site work.

The structure is accessible through a parking lot on Ellis Street, and there are viewing areas both on top of it and underneath. The best way to experience the acoustic effects is to make sounds from different positions and observe how they reflect.

The structure is known for its remarkable acoustics, where sound waves bounce up to 25 times between the water surface and the curved arch. This natural echo phenomenon results from the specific geometric shape and makes the site a place to experiment with sound.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.31484,-71.22690

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:48