John Howard Whittemore Memorial Bridge
Maple St.
The bridge repair project on Maple Street underway. It was commonly called the Maple Street Bridge, it is formally known as the John Howard Whittemore Memorial Bridge. Dedicated May 14, 1914, it was the third bridge to cross the river in downtown Naugatuck.
The first documented bridge spanned the river from 1843 to 1882 at the current location of Whittemore Bridge.
A steel arch bridge, built in 1883, lasted until it was replaced by the present bridge in 1914.
After Whittemore's death in 1910 a public meeting was held and it was decided that citizens "both rich and poor, prominent and obscure would have the opportunity to share in a public service" (Constance Green "History of Naugatuck") by raising funds for the bridge construction. Prominent architect Henry Bacon (Naugatuck Train Station, Lincoln Memorial, Penn Station) was commissioned to design the bridge.
John Howard Whittemore Memorial Bridge, designed by renowned architect Henry Bacon and completed in 1914, was constructed to honor Whittemore’s profound contributions to Naugatuck, Connecticut. Funded largely through small donations from local residents, including schoolchildren, the bridge features a shallow arch design engineered by George Ham of Ham & Tuttle.
Originally, the bridge was adorned with marble railings that enhanced its classical design. These railings were lost in the 1950 flood, marking the first significant damage to the structure. The bridge also featured an Honor Roll plaque commemorating Naugatuck residents who served in various conflicts. However, during the catastrophic Flood of 1955, the plaque and other elements were lost. Despite these damages, the bridge withstood the flood, one of the few structures in the area to survive. A high-water mark from the 1955 flood remains visible today.
In 2016, Naugatuck began a comprehensive restoration project to restore the bridge’s historical character. The renovations included replacing the asphalt road with brick paving, constructing stone parapet walls inspired by the original design, and adding period-style lighting fixtures. Decorative lighting was also installed under the arches to highlight the bridge’s architectural features at night. The restoration was completed in 2018, and the bridge was rededicated to commemorate its historical and cultural significance.
