The Penobscot Narrows bridge - Stockton Springs, Maine

I remember traveling across the original bridge years ago - then called the Waldo-Hancock bridge - a rickety narrow "humming" bridge that conjured up thoughts of driving over the side or getting into a head on collision. I would white knuckle it all the way across, swearing and on the verge of tears. 

Thank goodness they upgraded. 

The replacement is called the Penobscot Narrows bridge and on the Verona Island side contains an observatory tower 420 feet up from the ground. You can get to the observatory by entering the Fort Knox State Park and purchasing a specific ticket (adds $2.50 to the entry fee per person over age 12) On this particular day the clouds were out and well - I was with my mom who I knew wouldn't want anything to do with it, so I'll have to do it with the boy and post another day :)

The bridge itself is a work of art, it's actually rather spectacular considering the amount of time they had to design and build (well - 3 1/2 years seems like a long time but hey - look at the pics!). Wiki claims there are only two others like it in the US. Whodathunkit?




The footings of the old bridge are still standing


Yeah - that's the observatory tower up there

WAAYY up there



More old Waldo-Hancock bridge parts


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