Railroad bridge across the Thames was built in 1919

Railroad bridge across the Thames was built in 1919

Carol W. Kimball

Thames River Railroad Bridges
Railroad Ferries
Auto and Trolley travel
Gold Star Memorial Bridge

Kim10-020

Scrapbook

8: Communication Artifact

Documentary Artifact

The Day

New London, CT.

02/07/2005

Carol W. Kimball

The Thames River railroad bridge that has been in use since January 1919 is the second bridge connecting New London and Groton. The first railroad bridge was completed in 1889 and was later remodeled into a highway bridge. The railroad bridges allowed trains to travel directly between Boston and New York without using a railroad ferry across the Thames. Rail travel increased and business soared. The Mystic people proposed that the state remodel the old bridge to accommodate trolleys and autos to eliminate the ferry at the foot of Groton's School Street. The General Assembly accepted the plan in 1913. The converted railroad bridge served faithfully until the first Gold Star Memorial bridge opened February 27, 1923. The old converted railroad bridge was removed. The second railroad bridge has remained on the job, 86 years as of 2005.

Starr, Herbert H.
Stangle, Frank

Thames River railroad bridges
Amtrak bridge
New London Groton Bridge
Gold Star Memorial Bridge
railroad ferries
locomotives
River of the Pequots
auto and trolley travel
Gold Star Memorial Bridge