Two Cent Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Two Cent Bridge |
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View from the Waterville side of the bridge
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| Coordinates | 44°33′03″N 69°37′34″W / 44.55086°N 69.62610°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Kennebec River |
| Locale | Waterville-Winslow, Maine |
| Official name | Ticonic Footbridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge |
| Width | 6 feet (2 m) |
| Longest span | 400 feet (122 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1903 |
The Ticonic Footbridge, often called the Two Cent Bridge or Two Penny Bridge, is a special suspension bridge. It stretches across the Kennebec River in Maine, connecting the city of Waterville and the town of Winslow. This bridge is quite old, being one of the oldest steel suspension bridges still around that uses wire cables. It's also thought to be the very last toll footbridge (a bridge just for people walking) left in the United States.
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History of the Two Cent Bridge
The first footbridge was built in 1901. It was designed by Edwin D. Graves from the Berlin Construction Company. The bridge was officially named by its owner, the Ticonic Foot Bridge Company.
Why the Bridge Was Built
The main reason for building the bridge was to help workers. They lived on Temple Street in Waterville and needed an easy way to get to the Hollingsworth & Whitney Company mills. These mills (which later became Scott Paper Company) were located across the Kennebec River in Winslow.
The First Bridge and Its Toll
When it first opened on December 15, 1901, people had to pay a small fee to cross. This fee was called a "toll." The original toll was just one cent. You paid this at a small booth on the Waterville side of the river. Sadly, less than a year after it opened, high water levels washed the bridge away.
Rebuilding and the Two Cent Name
The bridge was rebuilt in 1903. This second version of the Ticonic Footbridge was much stronger. It served the local people for many years. The toll to cross the bridge went up to two cents. This is how the bridge got its popular name, the "Two Cent Bridge." In 1960, the Ticonic Foot Bridge Company gave the bridge to the city of Waterville as a gift. After that, people no longer had to pay a toll to cross.
Keeping the Bridge Safe and Strong
The Two Cent Bridge is an important part of history. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's recognized as a special landmark.
Closures and Repairs
People have worked hard to keep the bridge in good shape. However, it has been closed sometimes when it wasn't safe to cross. On July 4, 1990, the bridge was badly damaged. Many people attending a concert nearby walked onto the bridge at once. This put too much weight and stress on it. The bridge was closed right away and made safe. It took several years to fully fix it. The old tollbooth was taken off for a while but was later fixed and put back.
Modern Upgrades
In 2012, the bridge was updated again so people could keep using it safely. The metal walking surface was replaced. The cables that help keep the bridge stable in the wind were also replaced. The old railing was removed and a new, modern one was put in its place.
Ongoing Care
Today, many local groups in the Waterville and Winslow area help take care of the bridge. For example, the local Rotary Club helps raise money to keep the bridge in good condition.
