Paul's Bridge

Paul's Bridge is a stone bridge carrying the Neponset Valley Parkway over the Neponset River between Milton and southern Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1849 by Thomas Hollis, Jr., of Milton,[2] but was later reconstructed using the original materials. It replaced the earlier Hubbard's Bridge (built prior to 1759), and a subsequent Paul's Bridge (so named at its 1807 reconstruction). Its current span is approximately 88 feet (27 m). The name "Paul" can be attributed to Samuel Paul, the owner of the adjacent land on the Readville (now Boston) side, which was part of Dedham at the time of the bridge's construction.[3]

Paul's Bridge
North side
LocationMilton and Boston, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°14′4″N 71°7′21″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1849 (1849)
Part ofNeponset Valley Parkway (ID04001573)
NRHP reference No.72000140[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 11, 1972
Designated CPJanuary 24, 2005

The 1849 bridge was 81 feet (25 m) long and 22 feet (6.7 m) wide, and was constructed of unmortared Quincy granite.[2] Each round arch measures 20 feet (6.1 m) at the springline. The area between the arches is uncoursed rubblestone, and the arches are formed out of cut granite voussoirs. The bridge underwent a major rebuilding between 1932-1935 under the leadership of Arthur A. Shurcliff, FASLA and founder of the AIP, who made it a priority to widen the bridge. Most of the original stone was reused and solid stone parapets replaced the wooden siderails. Instead of a rubblestone finish between the arches on the extended side, it is finished in coursed stone.[4]

Paul's Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972,[1] and contributes to a historic district encompassing the Neponset River Parkway. It is located within the Neponset River Reservation, and is maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

North side

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. Tuttle, Julius Herbert (1890). Dedham Historical Register, Volumes 1-2. Dedham, Mass.: Dedham Historical Society. p. 132.
  3. "MACRIS inventory record for Paul's Bridge". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-08-31.
  4. National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form, (1972).
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