The Bridges of Acadia National Park

October 23, 2017

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.

: 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.

: This is Jordan Stream, but because of the very dry summer, there is no water flowing.

: 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.

: Cheryl took this photo over the Bubble Pond Bridge and carriage road.

: The Bubble Pond Bridge was constructed in 1928 and is the only solid masonry bridge in the park.

: 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.

: Here is a closer view of the wonderful stonework.

: Next stop is the West Branch carriage road over the West Branch Bridge.

: This bridge was built in 1931 and has a very narrow six-foot wide arch, which stands above the usually dry stream bed.

: The 170-foot structure curves sharply over the ravine.

: Here is a photo Cheryl took after walking over the bridge.

: This is the road over Cliffside Bridge built in 1932.

: 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.

: 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.

: The bridge spans roughly 250-feet.

: The railing of the bridge is crenulated – you can see the upright placement of the massive hand-hewn boulders.

: Stones along the edges of the carriage roads are called “Rockefeller’s Teeth”.

: The Amphitheatre Bridge built in 1931 is a long, 236-foot structure that traverses the deep Amphitheatre ravine.

: 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.

: The patterns of raised pieces along with the open spaces under the top railing make this bridge even more unique.

: This bridge is called Little Harbor Brook Bridge, and was built in 1919.

: 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.

: 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.

: The Cobblestone Bridge spanning Jordan Stream was the first bridge built on the carriage road system in 1917.

: It is the only bridge constructed completely of cobblestones.

: 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.