Skilton Road Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Skilton Road Bridge
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Skilton Rd. over the Nonewaug R., Watertown, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architectural style | Masonry-arch bridge |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001744 |
| Added to NRHP | December 10, 1991 |
The Skilton Road Bridge is a very old stone bridge in Watertown, Connecticut. It carries Skilton Road over the Nonewaug River. This bridge was built a long time ago, between 1865 and 1866. It's special because it's a rare example of a stone bridge from the mid-1800s that is still in great shape. In 1991, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
About the Skilton Road Bridge
The Skilton Road Bridge is found in a quiet, mostly residential part of northwestern Watertown. It stretches across the Nonewaug River. The bridge is about 35 feet (10.7 meters) long. It has one main arch that spans about 20 feet (6.1 meters) over the water.
How the Bridge Was Built
This bridge was built using local stones. These stones were "dry laid," meaning they were carefully placed together without using mortar (like cement). One side of the bridge rests on a natural stone ledge. The other side sits on a stone support called an abutment.
The stones that make up the curved part of the arch are a bit rough. The stones that fill the spaces above the arch, called spandrels, look less worked. The arch itself is slightly uneven. This might be because it was hard to build in that exact spot. The bridge is about 16 feet (4.9 meters) wide. It is wide enough for one car at a time.
Why This Bridge Is Important
The town decided to build this bridge in 1865. Skilton Road was a main path between Watertown and Bethlehem, Connecticut back then. Stone was more expensive than wood for building. However, stone bridges last much longer.
There was also a mill dam just upstream from the bridge. If that dam broke, it would cause a flood. A wooden bridge would be easily destroyed by such a flood. A strong stone bridge was a safer choice. This bridge is a good example of the stone bridges built in the mid-1800s. Many like it used to exist, but few are still standing today.
