Old North Bridge, Wooden footbridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
The Old North Bridge is a wooden footbridge in Concord, Massachusetts, that crosses the Concord River. The structure consists of timber beams with white painted railings and rests on masonry abutments at both banks.
A crossing from 1760 stood here when colonial militia confronted British troops on April 19, 1775. This moment marked the start of armed resistance against British rule in the American colonies.
The location inspired Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem from 1837, which honors the events of April 1775. Visitors today notice the historical marker along the path that explains the literary connection between the structure and American literature.
Access to the footbridge follows a short walking path from the visitor center along the riverbank and reaches the crossing via a level gravel trail. The grounds around it offer space for a walk along the water with interpretive signs along the route.
The present construction represents the sixth reconstruction of the original crossing and follows building techniques from the 18th century. Craftsmen used historical methods and traditional materials to preserve the authenticity of the original appearance.
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