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Androscoggin Swinging Bridge
Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org

The History of the Swinging Bridge

8/7/2020

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For this week’s blog, we’ve decided to shift focus a bit. Last week, we discussed the ins and outs of running a virtual 5k and how we’re handling ours this year. Today, we’d like to share the history behind why we do these runs in the first place--the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge itself.

It was in 1891 that the Topsham Land Company decided that a footbridge across the Androscoggin River would be a safer, more direct route for workers traveling to Brunswick’s Cabot cotton mill rather than the two existing vehicle bridges. Thinking that the bridge would add enough value to their lots for it to be a worthwhile investment, they contracted with the John A. Roebling Sons Co, who’d designed the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, to build it. Once the Cabot Manufacturing Co. granted an easement that allowed the bridge to connect on the Brunswick side, construction began May 19, 1892.
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Completed in September of that year, the final construction costs tallied up to about $2,000, which, adjusted for inflation, would be about $56,700. The Topsham Land Company had intended for the bridge to be accepted as a public highway when the bridge became a common necessity and hadn’t promised to maintain it.
In 1906, the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge was given the designation, and Brunswick and Topsham became jointly responsible for bridge maintenance. Between 1913 and 1916, the bridge’s timber-framed towers were replaced with steel, possibly by South Portland steel fabrication company Mequier & Jones.
Disaster would strike in 1936 when a flood destroyed the bridge’s superstructure, sweeping away the entire deck and rendering it completely unusable. However, the steel towers and original suspension cables survived. The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) got to work replacing the span and resurfacing the bases of the towers with new concrete in 1938.
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 This would be the last significant repair the bridge would receive until the turn of the century. In 2000, a study found the bridge in a distressing state of disrepair--concrete abutments cracked, wood planks rotted, and rust covering every metal component.

With pedestrian traffic limited to twenty people and the bridge not expected to survive into 2010, Brunswick and Topsham came together to appoint a committee of residents of both towns to attempt to accrue funds and restore the bridge to a usable state. Securing finances from the Department of Transportation as well as private funds, the group oversaw renovation and restoration of the swinging bridge, reopening it to the public 2006.

Though nearly every one of the bridge’s components had been replaced by this point, from the handrails to the boards to the beams, the original “ Roebling wire rope” cables built into the structure in 1892 still span the bridge to this day. The next year saw the opening of public parks on either end of the bridge. On September 8, 2007, a reopening and dedication ceremony saw the attendance of two of John A. Roebling’s great-great-great granddaughters.

In January of 2004, the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In May 2011, the bridge was dedicated as a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the Maine Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Androscoggin Swinging Bridge now sits at the heart of the Androscoggin Riverwalk, enjoying routine foot traffic from locals and tourists alike. We’ve made it our task to maintain and care for it so the bridge can continue to receive visitors for many years to come. Your participation in our annual 5k runs and 2k walks, as well as your donations for engraved bricks and your contributions throughout the year, help us achieve our goals and keep the bridge safe and usable for everyone. If you’d like to contribute this year, be sure to register for this year’s virtual 5k or make a donation to have a brick in the base of the bridge engraved with your chosen inscription. Your help is what keeps our bridge swinging far into the future.
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How to Run a Virtual 5K

7/30/2020

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Last week, we announced that our annual 5K run and 2K walk would be done virtually this year, and would be held through September 5th through the 13th. But what does that mean? What the heck is a virtual 5K and how do you run it? And how are we keeping track of our runners’ times? In this blog post, we’ll be answering all those questions and more.

Q. What on earth is a ‘virtual 5K’?

A. Essentially, it’s a 5K run or walk, done remotely. Instead of a large group of people getting together on a singular date on the calendar and running together on a set course, each runner will select their own route to navigate, run their 5K, and post their time on a social media platform. This is, admittedly, not our first choice for handling our annual walk and run, but given the global pandemic, it’s our safest option right now.

As you know, we’re handling registration online this year, though if you’d like to request a registration form via mail or email, contact donate@saveourbridge.org or call 207-837-0558. Don’t forget that the first 100 registrants score a free T-shirt!

Q. That sounds neat, but how do I run it? Where do I go?
A. Once you’ve registered, paid your fee, picked out your route, and are ready to run… well, you’re going to have to wait ’til September 5, because that’s when it officially starts. But once the 5th rolls around, you’ve got until midnight on September 15 to choose your 5K or 2K route (though we recommend planning it ahead of time), and run it at whatever pace you’d like.
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Of course, you’re free to navigate the usual routes used in our annual 5K and 2K, or you can choose a route more local, convenient, or scenic for you. Or you can run it on your treadmill at home. That’s up to you.
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Q. Okay, I’ve done my run, now what?

A.
Post it to social media! Once you’ve finished your run, you’ll take to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram- or all three, if you want- and post a picture of yourself at your finish line, along with your time and your route if you’d like, and tag the post #SOSB2020.
Make sure to post once you’ve finished and use that hashtag #SOSB2020 because we’ll be using it to look for your posts and keep track of who’s finished their run and when. If you’re on Facebook, you can go directly to the Save Our Swinging Bridge page and post there. We aren’t keeping track of times this year, so you only need to post your time if you wish.

Q. Then what?

A.
After everyone’s completed their runs and we’ve collected the results, we’ll be giving away some prizes! As stated, we’re not tracking times this year, so there won’t be a prize for the fastest time. However, make sure to wear your best, weirdest, or most interesting running clothes, because there will be prizes for…
  • First Finisher
  • Final Finisher
  • Youngest Participant
  • Oldest Participant
  • Funniest Running Outfit
  • Most Unusual Running Outfit
  • Farthest from the Swinging Bridge
  • Second Prettiest Bridge

Of course, we all know that the Swinging Bridge is the prettiest of all the bridges, but if your route takes you across a bridge, take a picture of it and include that in your post, because if it’s particularly pretty, it might just net you a prize! Those prizes, by the by, include gift cards from the restaurants and other eateries who are contributing to our annual races, like Gelato Fiasco in Brunswick! It’s also entirely possible that we’ll be adding more prize categories before the start date, so keep an eye out for that.

Q. Okay, you’ve got my attention. What time does this whole thing start and end?

A.
You’re free to start running on September 5, at 12:01 AM, and you’ve got until midnight September 15 to finish. So you early birds who’re looking to net that First Finisher prize better start pretty darn early!

Q. Is there anything else I should know?

A.
Make sure to watch our social medias- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, this website- for more information, make sure you get your registration in nice and early to net yourself that T-shirt, and stay healthy and safe. We’re looking forward to seeing your posts and your routes!
REGISTER
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Save Our Swinging Bridge Goes Virtual

7/23/2020

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This past March, we decided to postpone this year’s 5K race and 2K walk, due to the global pandemic of COVID-19. And as the situation changes around us on an almost daily basis, we’ve racked our brains, put our heads together, and tried to figure out if we should wait this out, or try something new. In the end, we’ve decided that the swinging bridge still needs our support, and we’ve postponed no longer- this year, the 5K has gone virtual!
What this means is, instead of showing up on a specific date to do your 5K or 2K, you’ll be able to do it at any time from September 5th through the 13th, and you’ll post your results. You can run your 5K along the usual yearly course, starting in Topsham’s lower village crossing the river into Brunswick, traveling south on Mill Street to recross the river on the historic swinging bridge, then up one hill and down the other, returning to Topsham’s lower village. The 2K can be done along the path of the Androscoggin Riverwalk. Or, you can do your 5K or your 2K wherever you’d like! Whenever and wherever you do it, you’ll complete the course and post a picture and your time, if you’d like, to social media and tag us in it!

Registration is open right now and will be done online this year. The registration fee for adults is $30, and $25 for youth 17 and below. The first 100 to register will even net themselves a free T-shirt, so make sure to provide your address and shirt size when you sign up, because we’ll be sending the shirts to the address provided. Please note that there will be no option to pick up the shirts in the interest of public safety.

Keep an eye on this blog as well, because we’ll be coming back weekly with more details and information about how you can do your virtual walk or run this year. You’ll also find instructions on how to post your run to social media and what to tag us with on this blog as well!

Thank you all so much for your continued help and support, and for sticking with us through these tough times. Our world is changing around us rapidly and we might not know what lies ahead, but as we change and adapt to our new situations, we’re finding new ways to accomplish what we need to, and we wouldn’t be able to do this without your help. So sign up, do your run, and with any luck, we’ll see you in person in 2021! 

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Register
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Great weather for all ages

4/15/2019

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Runners and walkers of all ages helped raise over $6,000 at the Save Our Swinging Bridge 5K & 2K Family Walk on Sunday. The 16th annual event benefits the maintenance of historic bridge that connects Brunswick and Topsham over the Androscoggin River.
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Houghton White
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Adeline Vanier
​Octogenarian, Houghton White of Brunswick was the oldest runner finishing at 40:08 setting the record for his age category; the youngest, four-year-old, Adeline Vanier completed the3.1-mile course at 51:05. Vanier may have set the record for her age group, too.
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1st Place Female & 1st Place Male
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2nd Place Female & 2nd Place Male
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3rd Place Female & 3rd Place Male
​​The top finishers carried home merchant baskets full of local gift certificates, gift cards and products. 
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Anyelina Martinez
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Finleigh Simonds
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Cecilia Dube
The winners in the women’s category were: 1st Place: Course record-setting Anyelina Martinez of Haverhill, MA, 22 at 19:03.0, Finleigh Simonds, 13, of Haverhill, MA, at 20:23.7 and Cecilia Dube, 26, of Bangor, Maine at 21:04.9. 
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Nathan Lopez
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Logan Carter
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Nicholas Downing
In the men’s category: Nathan Lopez, 13, of Lynnfield, MA finished at 17:43.9, Logan Carter, 14, of Windham, NH at 17:58.4, Nicholas Downing, 32, of Topsham, ME at 18:16.9. 
​Isaac Gower-Hall who finished fifth overall in a field of 102 runners spoke enthusiastically about the race. “I run in a lot of 5Ks. This race is the most organized of all of them.” Gower-Hall was so excited about this 16th Annual event that he convinced his running club, Haverhill's Elite Track Club, to make the Swinging Bridge race a travel race for the team.
PictureTwenty-one members of Haverhill's Elite Track Club ran the race on Sunday.

The team took four of the top six finisher’s awards male and female and came in 1st, 2nd, and 4th through 9th overall.
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A spectator observed, “The kids in that club were polite, energetic and flew along the course.”
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Join Walkers, Runners and Volunteers at the

2/27/2019

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   16th Annual 5K Walk/Run and 2K Family Walk

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Runners and walkers begin the course at 10 a.m.
On Sunday, April 14 shake the winter blues and kick off the 2019 running season with the Save Our Swinging Bridge 5K and 2K Family Walk.
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Join us for the only 5K Run/Walk and 2K Family Walk in town that also maintain an historic structure that connects two towns and many communities.. Register now, spread the word to friends and family, and start training soon for three miles near our beautiful river.
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Need one more reason to sign up? The Swinging Bridge event is for the entire family. Run or Walk the 5K or walk the 2K a 20-minute jaunt around the route of the Androscoggin Riverwalk.
Early registrations are now being accepted for the 16th annual Save Our Swinging Bridge 5K run/walk and 2K family walk.

The event will start at 10 a.m., Sunday, Apr. 14, on Main Street in Topsham’s lower village.
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Through March 3 , Early registration rates of $20 for adults and $15 for youths 17 and under will apply. After that date, registration fees will increase to $25 for adults and $20 for youths 17 and under.
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The first 100 people to register will receive specially designed t-shirts. ​​

Participants can register on-line at below. Registration forms also are available at the recreation departments in Brunswick and Topsham.
Register Now
Proceeds from the event will benefit Save Our Swinging Bridge. Org, a non-profit organization set up to maintain and beautify the historic Swinging Bridge, one of the few remaining suspension pedestrian bridges in Maine.  ​
Post-race awards ceremony at 11 a.m. (or as soon as timing is available) with refreshments. Prizes also will be awarded to the top male and female finishers as well as the top finishers in 10 different age groups for men and women.
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The 3.1-mile road race course, certified by USA Track and Field, crosses the Androscoggin River into downtown Brunswick and recrosses the river via the Swinging Bridge before traversing Topsham Heights and returning to the finish line in Topsham’s lower village.

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Stories Behind the Bricks: The LeMieuxs

7/9/2018

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Victor J. LeMieux and Bertha F. LeMieux

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​Victor J. LeMieux and Bertha F. LeMieux
​Victor J. LeMieux and Bertha F. LeMieux were married in October 1930, Brunswick, ME. They left by train to Cleveland, Ohio, on their wedding day. Approximately three years later returned home and began raising their three sons. In 1937, they opened the famous “tavern in the town named Vic’s” on Union Street, Brunswick. Their key to success was great Italian food, service, and hospitality. They had this establishment for 12 years and sold it in 1949. In June of 1954 they began a second business on Route 1, in Brunswick, near the Freeport town line. Bass Wayside Shoe lasted for 50 years.

Information provided by George LeMieux
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Stories Behind the Bricks: The Toths

7/9/2018

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Michael Toth, Sr. and Mary A. Toth

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Mr. Michael Toth Sr. and Mary A. Toth were an active part of the Brunswick-Topsham community throughout their lives. Michael worked on the construction of the Frank J. Wood Bridge and then became owner of the Waterfall Filling Station in Topsham for 19 years. From 1961-1967, he served three terms as a Topsham Selectman. Mary was a full-time homemaker, raising their seven children plus taking in a friend’s child whose mother died young. Mary was very active in her church and a member of the Daughters of Isabella. The Toths were married for 68 years.

​Information provided by George LeMieux
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Engraved Brick Donations - Deadline Extended

6/13/2018

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Stories behind the Bricks - Evans Drolet & Yvonne Brillant
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Evans & Yvonne (Brillant) Drolet married after WWII and built a home on Front Street in Topsham on land given to them by Yvonne’s Mom & Dad.  The Swinging Bridge played an important role in their lives leading them to fully support the project to restore it.

Growing up, Yvonne travelled to school and St. John’s church over the swinging bridge.  Later on she was employed at the Cabot Mill and used the swinging bridge to go to and from her job there.  I’m pretty sure Evans made more than a few visits to Yvonne by passing over the swinging bridge as well. Together they raised three children who used the swinging bridge to walk to St. John’s School and church in Brunswick.  

My wife, Lucy (Evans & Yvonne’s oldest daughter), and I now live in her Mom & Dad’s home.  We love having the swinging bridge there to afford us easy walks into Brunswick for business, pleasure and exercise.  The bridge, along with the Brunswick-Topsham Androscoggin Riverwalk, is a true asset of our Topsham Heights neighborhood.  I see people young and old using the bridge every day.

Evans & Yvonne have two commemorative bricks installed in the Topsham walkway.  I look at them with pride every time I pass over the bridge. My wife & I, our two children and all of our Grandchildren also have bricks in the walkway.  It’s a blessed place for us to gather!

Don Gower

Save Our Swinging Bridge is still accepting engraved brick donations until June 30th. You, your company, your relatives, your friends and even your pet will have a permanent place in history while supporting the Androscoggin Pedestrian Swinging Bridge. Your engraved brick will be installed at the foot of the Bridge tower on either the Topsham or the Brunswick side of the river. Your continued support will keep our bridge swinging well into the future. Donate now.
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Spring is right around the corner!

3/25/2018

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Spring is late, but we are finally running outside again! 
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​​Spring is late, but we are finally running outside again! The 15th Annual Save Our Swinging Bridge 5K run & 2K Family Walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 15th at 10 a.m. and we are looking forward to another beautiful morning run/walk.  
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For runners, the 5K race course is a challenging USAFT-sanctioned and certified 5K (3.1 mile) beginning in Topsham's Lower Village, immediately crossing into Brunswick's downtown, turning onto Mill Street running along the Androscoggin River, and then crossing the river at the historic Swinging Bridge. Once across the bridge runners traverse hills through the Topsham Heights Neighborhood and then back onto Summer Street to return to Topsham's Lower Village and the finish line (and food!).
​Sponsors of the 5K this year are: The Times Record (media sponsor), Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (banner sponsor), Mid Coast Hospital (2K Family Walk sponsor), WGME Radio 9 (radio sponsor), AAA (registration sponsor), Shaw’s Supermarket (refreshment sponsor), Priority Real Estate Group LLC, Crooker Construction and Welltree Tree Care Specialists are also major sponsors. Organizational sponsorship provided this and each year comes from the towns of Brunswick and Topsham.

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2018 Sponsors
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Media Sponsor
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Radio Sponsor
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Refreshment Sponsor
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Registration Sponsor
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Hang & Remove Banner
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Facility Sponsor
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Major Sponsor

​The early registration fees are $20 for adults and $15 for youths aged 17 and under. Proceeds go directly to the maintenance fund for the bridge. Past events helped restore the 126-year old Roebling-built bridge. Donations and continued support ensure the maintenance of the bridge far into the future.
​Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers three deep men and women overall. Each will receive awards—gift baskets containing merchandise and gift certificates from local businesses. First-place finishers within each age group for men and women will be awarded restaurant gift certificates. Placement certificates will be awarded to male and female finishers three deep to each age group category. Unclaimed prizes will be raffled off raceday.
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​Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for youths after April 7th. Register online at www.saveourbridge.org/ annual-5k--2k.html or at the Recreation Departments in Brunswick and Topsham. Participants are asked to gather in front Bar Harbor Bank and Trust (Priority Business Center), 2 Main Street, Topsham, no later than 9:30 a.m. on raceday.
For more information:
Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org 5K & 2K Family Walk
Nancy E Randolph, Event Coordinator
2 Main Street Ste 707, Topsham ME  04086
Phone: 207-837-6188  Fax: 207-729-4600 Cell 207-837-0558
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Purchase a bag at Hannaford during September and Support the Swinging Bridge

8/17/2017

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We have some GREAT news to share!

The Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org has been selected AGAIN to be a part of the Hannaford Helps Cause Bag program!
 
We really appreciate all the support we received during our last round. Thank you! We are so happy to know we can count on you to go out and buy a few more of the Hannaford Helps bags during the month of September, at the Hannaford store located in the Topsham Fair Mall!

Don’t forget, the bag proudly displays the good karma message and we get $1 for every bag purchased!And they only cost $2.50, what a great deal!
 
For more information on the Hannaford Cause Bag program including updated sales numbers, please visit www.hannaford.bags4mycause.com.
 
Thank you so much for your continued support of Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org.

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OUR ADDRESS

Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org
PO Box 353
​Topsham, ME 04086

WEBSITE

http://www.SaveOurBridge.com

MESSAGES

Phone: 207-837-6188 
msg only (all volunteer organization)
Fax: 207-729-4600