The Bridges of Acadia National Park
I always enjoy sharing photos of Maine - I get so many nice comments whenever I feature Skylands, my home in Seal Harbor, or the surrounding areas in Acadia National Park.
Unfortunately, I am unable to visit Maine as much as I would like, but Cheryl Dulong, who works for me at Skylands, loves the outdoors, and often sends me beautiful images taken during her early morning hikes. Recently, she photographed several of "Mr. Rockefeller's Bridges". These bridges, which are located at stream and gorge crossings throughout Acadia's carriage road system, were financed, designed and built by millionaire philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr.
As you will see in the following gallery, each bridge, constructed from hand-hewn local granite, is truly a work of art. Enjoy these photos.
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- This is one of the 16 “Rockefeller Bridges” at Acadia. It is called Jordan Pond Bridge, also known as Jordan Pond Dam Bridge. Built in 1920, this bridge leads visitors from the Jordan Pond House out to the surrounding carriage roads.
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- This is Jordan Stream, but because of the very dry summer, there is no water flowing.
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- This is the other side of Jordan Pond Bridge. Although beautifully made, this bridge often goes unnoticed since the magnificent Jordan Pond and The Bubbles are seen in the distance.
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- Cheryl took this photo over the Bubble Pond Bridge and carriage road.
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- The Bubble Pond Bridge was constructed in 1928 and is the only solid masonry bridge in the park.
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- This medium-sized bridge is located just next to the Bubble Pond parking lot on the north side of Bubble Pond. The stone and mortar substructures are surfaced in rough-dressed random laid rubblestone.
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- Here is a closer view of the wonderful stonework.
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- Next stop is the West Branch carriage road over the West Branch Bridge.
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- This bridge was built in 1931 and has a very narrow six-foot wide arch, which stands above the usually dry stream bed.
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- The 170-foot structure curves sharply over the ravine.
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- Here is a photo Cheryl took after walking over the bridge.
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- This is the road over Cliffside Bridge built in 1932.
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- The Cliffside Bridge was one of the last bridges to be completed. Cliffside Bridge was constructed for the Around-Mountain carriage road under Penobscot Mountain.
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- The bridge was constructed in the style of an English castle. It is also the longest of the Acadia National Park bridges, and offers wonderful views of the surrounding area. This is one of several viewing platforms.
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- The bridge spans roughly 250-feet.
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- The railing of the bridge is crenulated – you can see the upright placement of the massive hand-hewn boulders.
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- Stones along the edges of the carriage roads are called “Rockefeller’s Teeth”.
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- The Amphitheatre Bridge built in 1931 is a long, 236-foot structure that traverses the deep Amphitheatre ravine.
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- Located in the valley between Cedar Swamp Mountain and Penobscot Mountain, this bridge is made of precisely-cut and placed pink granite slabs. The 50-foot rounded arch span is constructed of rough-dressed, uneven radiating voussoirs, or stones creating the decorative arch, and has a prominent keystone.
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- The patterns of raised pieces along with the open spaces under the top railing make this bridge even more unique.
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- This bridge is called Little Harbor Brook Bridge, and was built in 1919.
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- This modest yet elegant little carriage-road bridge is the second oldest in the park and is located almost a mile downstream from the Amphitheater Bridge.
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- Constructed of dark stained rock, this is one of the more remote bridges. It has a small single round arch and is 40-feet long with a span of 20-feet.
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- The Cobblestone Bridge spanning Jordan Stream was the first bridge built on the carriage road system in 1917.
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- It is the only bridge constructed completely of cobblestones.
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- Architect William Welles Bosworth, designed this bridge; however, it was carriage road engineer, Charles Simpson who suggested the use of rounded boulders for the facing. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. agreed the rounded boulders would look more natural than cut stone work.
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- Here is a close look at the cobblestone facing.
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- This bridge is now 100-years old, and still so spectacular.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Spectacular it is! Thank You Mr. Rockefeller for all your caring and sharing of such a beautiful place! You are right Martha the pictures are so enjoyed! Thanks for posting this, it gives me a perspective on all the beauty there!
Posted by: Jan | October 23rd, 2017 at 7:17 am
Thanks Cheryl
Stones :
As a farmers daughter stones have long been for me an amazing wonder
Just holding one in hand
It’s wt
It’s viens of color
“How old are you”?
We would from behind a wagon drawn by tractors “ pick up “ stones carry them away
Just to where I Have no memory
In parts where I lived in middle Michigan stones were not given their due consideration for creative purpose
Like;
Fences,
landscaping ,
Fireplaces,
Stones now sit on our rough hewn mantle of our new home
Stones I have gathered from various trips
Old mission peninsula TC
Maine
Upper copper harbor mi. rich tones of copper
AZ
Our new home sits on a sand dune surrounded by hardwoods
Now ablaze in reds orange yellow and gold
Chip monks
Birds now gone for the season
All is carpeted
With leaves
My early,spring bulbs have sprung alive !!
Confused by our warm October
Lil snow drops
Blue musscarri
Not blooming ‘
Only peaking,,, their green coats green
Thanks thanks
For these pictures
The staff of friends who attend your lovey homes
caring stewards ALL
Gail
Posted by: Gail m. Clarke | October 23rd, 2017 at 7:36 am
Mr. Rockefeller had such vision! Those bridges are still being used by so many people,thanks for showing us this beautiful place!
Posted by: Faye Warhol | October 23rd, 2017 at 10:02 am
It's clear that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. had respect for nature and took care to preserve and enhance Maine's beauty. I love how the bridges were built with natural stone, and fit in with the wooded and rocky terrain. They look like they belong there. Some of the bridges seem to defy gravity, in how large stones and boulders were placed, especially in a arch form. The skilled workmanship of that era is hard to find today. You are lucky to have a home in such a beautiful area. Of course, your farm is pretty darned nice, too. 🙂 Thanks, Martha.
Posted by: Judy | October 23rd, 2017 at 11:14 am
Hi Martha,
The Rockefellers were and still are wonderful, generous people who just keep on giving. Those beautifully designed bridges were necessary and will probably still be around in another 100 years, like the Rockefeller name. What hasn't that family ventured into and they just keep on making more money and doing good deeds. A good example of 'give and you will receive' for sure, or like Dolly Parton does...gives 10% of her gross to charities. She said she didn't plan it but it seems the more she gives away, the more she makes, and she still gives it away. You too, Martha, are also very generous and we have read here on your blog about the many charitable events you attend and all the places you help keep in great condition like the Hudson River Park and Central Park. You don't just go to Galas so you can wear a nice hat or even a beautiful dress to the Metropolitan Opera. It's all good and I should stop talking and go write a check to one of my charities! Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 23rd, 2017 at 11:28 am
Beautiful stone bridges. Amazing work and still looking great @ 100 years old. Loved the pink granite bridge & the cobblestone bridge. But they are all spectacular. The carriage roads are lovely with the fall foliage. Thanks for sharing Cheryl.
Posted by: Joy | October 23rd, 2017 at 12:08 pm
We also have a house near Acadia National Park. It is my favorite place to visit, and like you, I only get there once a year. We just left October 21st, it was absolutely beautiful this visit as it was peak foliage season. Every year we are there we go and visit another Bridge so I can take photos. It is truly an amazing work of art!
Posted by: Melinda Jones | October 23rd, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Awesome photos of "Our" bridges. We love our island and are so thankful for the Rockefeller family. This is the best place to call "Home."
Posted by: Lori Urquhart Seavey | October 24th, 2017 at 3:55 am
Hi Martha,
Thank you for sharing these amazing photos! Maine is gorgeous and I'm placing Arcadian park on my travel list! You and the Rockerfellers are such interesting, interprising, generous people who have made such a difference in our world. The architecture of the bridges partnered with nature is beautiful. Also, I enjoyed the Todwy show segment on pumpkins! You are so talented and an excellent teacher and mentor of living a great life! Thank you!
Fondly,
Karen
Posted by: Karen | October 24th, 2017 at 4:15 am
Love these old bridges. So much history. The stories these bridges could tell us, right?
Posted by: KG | October 25th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
How do the cobblestones stay on the underside of the arch? How incredibly beautiful! Just lovely photos.
Posted by: Eugenia Argires | October 28th, 2017 at 10:50 pm
Many thanks for your beautiful and informative photographic work on the bridges in Acadia National Park. I often concentrate so intently on taking pictures that when I return home I have to use the Internet to fill in with information that appropriately goes with whatever I have taken. Your October 23rd article was just what I needed to identify and add dates to the bridges I captured. Many thanks for your excellent work and your willingness to share that with those of us who are occasional visitors to the beautiful Acadia National Park.
Posted by: Barton Lessin | January 8th, 2018 at 4:39 pm