Replacement of the Old Wooden Bridge at Lockwood's on Boston Post Road Across the Hutchinson River Beginning in 1910

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During the 1870s and 1880s, the tiny wooden bridge over the Hutchinson River along today's Boston Post Road was known as "Lockwood's Bridge" and "the bridge at Lockwood's."  The tiny little bridge could swing open to allow vessels to pass.  However, it took thirty minutes to an hour to swing the bridge open.  Two images of the old wooden bridge appear immediately below.

Two Photographs of Lockwood's Bridge at Boston Post

Road Over the Hutchinson River, Taken on December

19, 1910.  NOTE:  Click on Images Above to Enlarge.

By 1910, traffic along Boston Post Road and boat and barge traffic in the Hutchinson River had increased to such an extent that a decision was made to replace the ancient wooden bridge.  On July 11, 1910, the City of New York awarded a contract for removal of the ancient bridge and for the construction of a "temporary" bridge immediately adjacent to it to handle traffic while a permanent replacement bridge was built.  Ominously, however, the then-deputy and acting commissioner of the Department of Bridges of the City of New York, William H. Sinnott, told the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce that the old bridge would be removed "as soon as funds are available."

It was quite some time before the old Lockwood's Bridge was removed and a temporary bridge was built.  Even worse, the temporary bridge stood until 1922 when a steel and concrete bridge which could be opened and closed in only 30 seconds was finally completed.  

New York City opened the new bridge on April 8 1922.  Nearly 10,000 people attended the grand ceremonies.  The bridge was decorated with flags.  Bands provided music all day.  A host of dignitaries attended.  The Mayor of New York City, John F. Hylan, spoke at the event.  Edward Riegelman, President of Brooklyn, and Henry C. Bruckner, President of the Bronx, also spoke, as did Grover A. Whalen, New York City Commissioner of Plant and Structures.

The replacement bridge cost about $478,000 to build.  

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"MOVE OLD BRIDGES OVER EASTCHESTER.
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The efforts of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce to have the bridges over the Eastchester creek which are claimed a menace to navigation and to generally improve conditions there, has met with some success.

In a letter, William H. Sinnott, deputy and acting commissioner of the department of bridges of New York, has given out the information that the contract for the removal of the present Eastchester bridge at Boston Post road was awarded recently, as well as that for the building of a temporary bridge adjacent thereto.  A new and permanent bridge is to be built on the line of the Boston Post road, which will facilitate traffic both on the highway and through the creek. The old Pelham bridge will be removed as soon as funds are available.

The letter to the Chamber of Commerce follows:

'Acknowledging your communication of the 20th instant, I beg to advise you that the city on July 11th awarded the contract for the removal of the present Eastchester bridge at Boston Post road and the building of the temporary bridge adjacent thereto, for use during the period of construction of a new and permanent bridge on the line of the Boston Post road which will facilitate traffic both on the highway and through the creek.  Regarding the removal of the old Pelham bridge, this will be undertaken as soon as funds are available.'"

Source:  MOVE OLD BRIDGES OVER EASTCHESTER, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 26, 1910, p. 3, col. 1.  

"CITY OPENS EASTCHESTER BRIDGE ON APRIL 8
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Announcement is made that the new Eastchester bridge, at 233d street and Boston Post road, the Bronx, will be officially opened by Mayor Hylan on Saturday, April 8.  The time set for the opening of the ceremonies is 2 o'clock, and will be conducted under the direction of Grover A. Whalen, Commissioner of Plant and Structures."

Source:  CITY OPENS EASTCHESTER BRIDGE ON APRIL 8, The Brooklyn Standard Union, Mar. 30, 1922, p. 15. col. 1.  

"OFFICIALS TO AID IN DEDICATION OF NEW EASTCHESTER BRIDGE
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City Authorities Invited to Ceremony at Eastchester Bridge Saturday Afternoon -- Replaces Historic Lockwood's Bridge.
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Officials of various towns and cities in the county have received invitations from Grover A. Whalen, commissioner of plant and structures, of New York city, to attend the official opening of the new Eastchester lift bridge on the Boston Post Road over Eastchester Creek.

The officials of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and the Pelhams, as well as New York city, have been invited also.  

The ceremony is to take place at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon April 8, and Mayor Hylan is expected to do the honors.  It is believed if the weather is fine that a large crowed will be there and those especially invited have been sent cards to admit them to the ceremonial enclosure.

The new bridge has replaced the historic structure known for a great many years as Lockwood's Bridge, and it is likely that the old name will stick to it for the present generation at least."

Source:   OFFICIALS TO AID IN DEDICATION OF NEW EASTCHESTER BRIDGE -- City Authorities Invited to Ceremony at Eastchester Bridge Saturday Afternoon -- Replaces Historic Lockwood's Bridge, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 4, 1922, p. 12, col. 2.  

"Hylan Fails to Brush Aside The Presidential Nomination
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Mayor Won't Run Again for His Present Office, but Maintains a Blushing Silence on the White House Job Suggested by Riegelmann
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Borough Presidents Henry C. Riegelmann, of Brooklyn, and Henry Bruckner, of the Bronx, hold different opinions concerning an appropriate career for Mayor John F. Hylan.  Both expressed them yesterday in speeches at the opening of the Eastchester Bridge across the Hutchinson River at the Boston Post Road.

'Mayor Hylan, our Mayor,' announced Mr. Riegelmann, 'ought to be made President of the United States.  Washington is the place for him and the people ought to send him there.'

The crowd cheered.

'What we want,' proclaimed Mr. Bruckner, 'is John F. Hylan for Mayor four years more and then four years after that.'

The crowd cheered.  It redoubled its efforts as the Mayor rose and blushed.  The Mayor didn't agree with Borough President Bruckner.

'There are lots of good borough presidents and other good men too,' said Mayor Hylan, 'who would make good mayors and I intend to give them a chance to try after my four years are up.'

The crowd cheered again and kept it up so long that it looked as though Mayor Fisk, of Mount Vernon, never would get a chance to speak.  He did, though, and so did Grover A. Whalen, Commissioner of Plant and Structures, under whose jurisdiction the new bridge is to be operated.  

The bridge connects Mount Vernon with the Bronx and is at Boston Post Road and 233d Street.  Traffic on Boston Post Road was diverted during the ceremony.  Then the barriers were removed and workmen began tearing down the old bridge which has been in use many years."

Source:  Hylan Fails to Brush Aside The Presidential Nomination -- Mayor Won't Run Again for His Present Office, but Maintains a Blushing Silence on the White House Job Suggested by Riegelmann, New-York Tribune, Apr. 9, 1922, p. 14, cols. 2-3.  

"EASTCHESTER BRIDGE TO MT. VERNON OPENED.
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The Eastchester bridge, spanning the Hutchinson river on the Boston Post road at 233d street, and connecting the Bronx with Mount Vernon, was opened yesterday with formal exercises attended by more than 10,000 persons.

Those who made addresses were Mayor Hylan, Edward Riegelman, president of Brooklyn; Henry C. Bruckner, President of the Bronx, and Grover A. Whalen, commissioner of plant and structures.

Commissioner Whalen emphasized that the new steel and concrete structure could be opened in thirty seconds, whereas it had required from thirty minutes to an hour to swing the old wooden bridge so boats could pass through.  The bridge cost about $478,000.

The Mayor said he intended making public improvements as rapidly as he could have appropriations made, not only because of the need of the improvements, but to give employment to the jobless.  The other speakers vied in lauding the Mayor.  Mr. Riegelmann got cheers on booming him for the Presidency."

Source:  EASTCHESTER BRIDGE TO MT. VERNON OPENED, Dobbs Ferry Register [Dobbs Ferry, NY], Apr. 14, 1922, Vol. XXXX, No. 16, p. 1, col. 2.

"Eastchester Bridge Opens As Thousands Watch
-- Looking Backward --
(From Files of The Daily Argus)
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25 YEARS AGO. . . 

Thousands of persons, many Mount Vernonites and Pelham residents included, Saturday afternoon attended the ceremonies commemorating the opening of the new Eastchester Bridge across the Hutchinson River at Boston Post Road.

The bridge opened and closed in 78 seconds.

For a considerable area around the new bridge special decorations were in vogue and there was a carnival aspect.  Flags floating and bands playing.  Hundreds of automobiles were parked in the vicinity. . . ."

Source:  Eastchester Bridge Opens As Thousands Watch -- Looking Backward, The Daily Argus, Apr. 9, 1947, p. 8, col. 3. 

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