Bardwell's Ferry Bridge

Bardwell's Ferry Bridge is a lenticular truss bridge spanning the Deerfield River between Shelburne and Conway using a steel framework. The crossing has a wooden plank deck and is supported by metal trusses with multiple paneled sections.

Completed in 1882 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, this structure replaced an earlier wooden crossing that had been destroyed by severe wind. The river crossing at this location had been used for transportation since the late 1700s.

This crossing point served as a vital link between communities for many generations. The bridge represents how people adapted engineering to maintain connections across the river.

The deck is relatively narrow and best suited for light vehicles and pedestrians. Access is straightforward, and the bridge offers a good vantage point over the river.

This bridge holds a local distinction as the longest single-span lenticular structure in the state. The construction uses built-up steel members joined together by riveting rather than welding.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1882

GPS coordinates: 42.55560,-72.67810

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:01