Built in 1891 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, Red Bridge is a 78-foot-long, 16-foot-wide iron bridge of lenticular pony truss design. It replaced a high-sided wooden bridge at this location and remained in constant use until 1964, when a concrete and steel bridge was constructed just to the east. For many years, Red Bridge and Oregon Road formed the main route between the towns of Meriden and Cheshire. The Berlin Iron Bridge Company erected more than 600 bridges of various designs, some as far away as Texas. This bridge is one of seven iron bridges erected in Meriden in the late 1800s at a total cost of $6,515.00, and it is the only one that remains. It was restored by the Meriden Lions Club in 2001–2002 as a historic gift to the people of Meriden.

Photo: Michael Herrick

Photo: Michael Herrick