Where in the ADK? Keeseville's Swing Bridge
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing
Photo courtesy Keeseville Historic Bridges
This week’s “Where in the ADK?” comes from Keeseville, a small hamlet that lies in both Clinton and Essex Counties. Lake Champlain and the ADK Coast are just five miles to the east. And Ausable Chasm, the “Grand Canyon” of the Northeast, is just a few miles to the North.
The Ausable River runs through Keeseville, separating into two sides. This river town is home to three bridges on the National Register of Historic Places. Two are meant for vehicle traffic, but this week’s “Where in the ADK?” site is the Swing Bridge, built just for pedestrians. This narrow, pedestrian suspension bridge is similar to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge but on a much smaller scale. (MUCH.)
Berlin Iron Bridge Company constructed the 240 ft. bridge in 1888, and sources say it’s undergone no significant alterations since then and remains in good working order. A recent evaluation by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (aka, “Engineers ‘R Us”) found that other than needing a good paint job (to prevent rust), the bridge is in good working order.
Townspeople use the bridge every day. If you want to stroll across, go to Clinton and Front Streets on the eastern side of the Ausable. Just remember, they call it the Swing Bridge for a good reason; you will feel the footfall of everyone else on the bridge with you, every gust of wind, or any vibration the bridge feels.
Never fear just remember you’ll be fine as long as you give that rhythm everything you've got
(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah).
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