Anderson Memorial Bridge

Anderson Memorial Bridge spans the Charles River with three arches constructed of reinforced concrete and faced with red brick masonry. The structure accommodates three traffic lanes, including two northbound and one southbound, plus dedicated spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

Completed in 1915, this bridge replaced the Great Bridge from 1662, the first structure to cross the Charles River. This replacement marked an important shift in how the two cities stayed connected across the water.

The bridge carries a bronze plaque honoring Nicholas Longworth Anderson, a Civil War general and Harvard graduate. This memorial shapes how people see the structure and reminds visitors of the historical ties between Cambridge and Boston.

The best time to cross is during quieter hours when traffic is light and you can observe the architecture more easily. Pedestrians and cyclists should use the marked areas that are separated from vehicle traffic.

Writer William Faulkner placed this bridge in his novel The Sound and the Fury, using it as the setting for a pivotal moment with character Quentin Compson. This literary reference ties the structure to American classic fiction.