or Location: off Damon Road, across
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form. 3/10
FORM F − STRUCTURE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Locus Map
Please see Continuation Sheet.
Recorded by: Bonnie Parsons
Organization: PVPC
Date (month / year): May, 2011
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
19-A Easthampton NTH.
Town/City: Northampton
Place (neighborhood or village):
Address or Location: off Damon Road, across
Connecticut River Name: Boston and Maine Railroad Bridge
Ownership: Public Private
Type of Structure (check one):
___ boat or ship
___ canal
___ carousel
___ dam
___ fort
___ gate
___ kiln
___ lighthouse
___ pound
___ powderhouse
___ street
___ tower
___ tunnel
___ wall
___ windmill
__x_other (specify) bridge
Date of Construction: 1887
Source: bridge date plaque
Architect, Engineer or Designer: G. M. Tompson, Chief
Engineer; R. F. Hawkins, Builder, Springfield.
Materials: Granite, iron, wood
Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no yes Date:
Acreage: over one acre
Setting: This bridge crosses from Northampton to Hadley
across the Connecticut River and Elwell’s Island beneath it.
INVENTORY FORM F CONTINUATION SHEET NORTHAMPTON/HADLEY Off Damon Road
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH. 142
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
Use as much space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets.
DESIGN ASSESSMENT
Describe important design features and evaluate in terms of other structures within the community.
The Boston and Maine Railroad bridge is an iron, simple-span bridge that is nine-spans in length. It is a Warren, double,
through-truss bridge approximately ¼ of a mile in length, 20’ high and 25’ wide. The bracing system consists of two angled
portals at each end of a segment followed by X-braces made up of lattice trusses that are supplemented by iron rods. The
upper chords anchor cross trusses across the top of the bridge. Its nine spans vary in length and are supported by dressed
granite block embankments and wing walls on the Northampton end and the Hadley end and by granite piers located in the
Connecticut River bed and on an island in the river known as Elwell’s Island. The bridge has been adapted to rail-trail use, so
now has a wooden deck and side railings on its interior.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Explain the history of the structure and how it relates to the development of the community.
This bridge was built by the Boston and Maine Railroad Company in 1887, but on the Form F of 1980 it says, “This bridge was
built for the Mass. Central Railroad. The line split off the main north-south railroad in the center of town and headed east north
of Ridge Street. After crossing the river the railroad continued east through Hadley and Belchertown to a junction with the Athol
line. The bridge crosses over Elwell’s Island, and has two abutments there. On the Northampton end of the bridge are two oval
plaques. The first state: ‘G.M. Tompson – 1887 – Chief Eng’r, and the second: R. F. Hawkins – Builder – Springfield. Mr.
Hawkins was one of the most prominent bridge builders of the late 19th century. His iron bridges can be found throughout New
England and the surrounding states. “
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Beers, F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873.
Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831.
Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895.
Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884.
Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.
INVENTORY FORM F CONTINUATION SHEET NORTHAMPTON/HADLEY Off Damon Road
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 2
NTH. 142
INVENTORY FORM F CONTINUATION SHEET NORTHAMPTON/HADLEY Off Damon Road
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 3
NTH. 142