Marble Bridge (Proctor, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Marble Bridge
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St. over Otter Cr., Proctor, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | Henry Leslie Walker |
| Architectural style | Reinforced concrete bridge |
| MPS | Metal Truss, Masonry, and Concrete Bridges in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001609 |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1991 |
The Marble Bridge, also known as the Fletcher D. Proctor Memorial Bridge, is a special bridge in Proctor, Vermont. It carries Main Street over Otter Creek. This bridge was built in 1915 and made wider in 1935-36. It's a great example of how concrete bridges were built a long time ago. The bridge is also decorated with beautiful local marble. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 because of its importance.
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Exploring the Marble Bridge
The Marble Bridge is one of the main bridges crossing Otter Creek in Proctor. It connects the town's center on one side of the creek to homes on the other side. It also helps people get to United States Route 7.
How the Bridge Looks
The bridge has three concrete arch sections. Each section is about 42 feet (13 meters) long. The total length of the bridge is about 170 feet (52 meters). It is 38 feet (12 meters) wide. The road deck is about 36 feet (11 meters) above the creek.
The arches rest on strong concrete supports. The sides of the bridge are covered with gray marble from local quarries. The bridge also has marble railings along its sides.
Building the Bridge
The Marble Bridge was built in 1915. It was designed by Harry Leslie Walker from New York City. When it was first built, it was only wide enough for one lane of traffic.
In the 1910s, concrete started to be used for bridges in Vermont. Before that, most bridges were made of wood, like covered bridges. People thought concrete and metal bridges would last longer. The Marble Bridge is one of the few early concrete bridges still standing in Vermont.
The bridge was made wider in 1935-36. This project received money from the Works Progress Administration. This was a government program that helped create jobs during a tough time.
Remembering Fletcher D. Proctor
The bridge is named after Fletcher D. Proctor. He was important to the area. He led the Vermont Marble Company, which was a big family business. He also served as the Governor of Vermont. The Marble Bridge is a key landmark in Proctor. It shows how important marble has been to the town for many years.
