Town of Chesterfield Archives - Page 6 of 10 - Keeseville's Historic Bridges

Mountain Lake PBS Updated Story

By matt | May 3, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

MAY 3, 2021 —

Hi Everyone,

Last week Mountain Lake PBS released their story on our bridges. PBS works with WCAX on news stories together, and you will notice this video is very similar to the one put out by WCAX a few weeks ago. This one has some small changes in it.

This is from the PBS website:

We told you last fall about a preservation group in Keeseville, New York, working to save several historic bridges in the community. Matthew Pray says the bridges, all built in the 1800s, are one-of-a-kind. They are all on the National Register of Historic Places and are considered civil engineering landmarks. The group has worked with lawmakers looking for grant money, something both Essex and Clinton County say will be needed if the bridges are to be restored. Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman Shaun Gillilland says the county pegs the cost at over $2-million-dollars to make the repairs necessary to restore the bridges. In addition to the grant money, an engineer would need to certify that any fix-up would make the bridge safe to use. The group has started placing these signs around Keeseville, hoping to get people in the community to show their support. Many have already signed a petition to save the bridges. Pray says they’ve collected more than 2-thousand signatures. Learn more: www.facebook.com/Keesevillehistoricbridges

Why Save The Upper Bridge?

By matt | May 2, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

MAY 2, 2021 —

Why should we save the Upper Bridge?

-Longest and Oldest Double Span Metal Pratt Truss Bridge in NY
(214ft long total, two spans at 107 Feet each)
-Only Remaining Through Truss bridge made by Murray, Dougal and Company left in the world. (very significant)
-This bridge has a historical significance rating of 9 out of 10. (10 scores are only reserved for monumental bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge). Therefore it is the highest rating it can get!
-Built in 1878, this bridge was built during an experimental / developmental period in Civil Engineering.
-On the National Register of Historic Places
-National Civil Engineering Landmark
-Iron from bridge was provided by the Phoenix Mill in PA. This company built 1200 civil war canons, and later melted them down for other uses. It’s likely that our bridge was partially built with some recycled civil war canon iron, and most certainly built by civil war veterans.
-This bridge is well known by bridge enthusiasts all across the country.
-The Front St intersection at the Arch Bridge and State Bridge has been overwhelmed since this bridge closed. There have been many accidents at the Pleasant St intersection. This would allow for better traffic flow in Keeseville.
-Having this bridge open will support new businesses close by.
-Promoting tourism in the area.
-Preservation of Local and National History
-Rehabilitation is cheaper than building a new bridge
-Massive Community Support
-Massive Local Business Support
-Town Boards both passed Resolutions in Support
-Support from both Clinton and Essex County Residents
-Support from Historical Societies all across upstate NY
-Support from Civil Engineers all across the Country

Pick up your yard signs at the Keeseville Free Library, Mountain Valley Credit Union, Arnold’s, Loreman’s and the Town Offices. Save our Historic Bridges.

Signs going up! Thank You all for the Support!!

By matt | April 24, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

APR 24, 2021 —

Every time I have been out today I see more and more signs going up. It’s really fun to see 8 months of research starting to pay off. Thank you all for the support!

Make sure to grab yours ASAP. It’s very important we send a message that we are a community that wants to work with the Counties to get this done. Hopefully we won’t have to keep the signs up for a long time, but it’s definitely important to send a strong message at the beginning. The more signs up the better! Pick up your signs today at Loreman’s, Peru Credit Union, Arnolds, Stewarts, and the town offices! Later this weekend they will also be available at Ridged Performance (Ausable St) and on Tuesday Keeseville Free Library!

Also,

Thank you to the Town of Ausable crew that cleaned up the area in front of the Old State Road on the Clinton County Side of the river! It looks great! Last year the community was able to clean in front of the Upper Bridge, and now both bridges are looking better and better. Let’s get those yard signs up and find a way to get this accomplished!