Turn-of-River Bridge

The Turn-of-River Bridge crosses the Rippowam River using a single-span lenticular truss design made of cast and wrought iron. Today the structure carries pedestrians only, though it was originally built to support vehicle traffic.

The Berlin Iron Bridge Company built this structure in 1892 using a patented lens-type truss design developed by William O. Douglas in 1878. This construction method became standard for bridge building in the region and helped modernize local infrastructure.

This bridge stands as a rare example of late 19th-century engineering in Connecticut, showing how local builders used advanced construction methods to connect communities across the river.

Access to the bridge is available from either side of the river on land, making it fully walkable for visitors. The structure has no scheduled operating hours and remains freely accessible throughout the day.

This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and is one of only about 20 remaining lenticular truss bridges from that era. The mix of cast and wrought iron with concrete deck elements shows how builders combined older and newer materials.