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Thursday, September 14, 2017

Bridge of Flowers

If you want to see a beautiful and very colorful re-use of a former transportation route, look no further than the Bridge of Flowers.

This 400-foot-long former trolley line bridge has been converted into a garden pathway. Open from April 1 to October 31, the bridge spans the Deerfield River between Shelburne Falls and Buckland, MA. The bridge is covered includes over 500 varieties of continuously blooming flowers from April through October. Luckily, our recent visit was in late August.

The bridge was built in 1908 at a cost of $20,000 by the Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway, so that freight could be picked up and dropped off directly with the railroad. 


By 1927, the street railway company went bankrupt. Automobile usage was increasing and freight began to be transported by trucks. By 1929, the bridge was abandoned and weed covered, when a local resident (Antoinette Burnham) had an idea to transform it into a garden. It wasn't needed as a footbridge, yet couldn't be torn down as it carried a water main between Shelburne Falls and the adjoining Buckland, MA.


The Shelburne Women's Club sponsored the flower project in 1928 and the following year, 80 loads of loam and several loads of fertilizer were brought to the bridge as women's clubs around town raised $1,000 for planting.


By 1975, the bridge structure was deteriorating. Funds were raised for a study that found it required nearly $600,000 in repairs which included replacing a water line. The monies were raised by various local organizations. During the restoration, every plant was removed and cared for privately.
Then, in 1983, the bridge was completely renovated, at a cost of $500,0000 and under the expertise of a local horticulturalist. Today, its upkeep relies on a paid gardener as well as volunteer help from the Shelburne Falls Women’s Club.

The history of the railway is preserved in the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum which maintains Trolley No. 10. This trolley crossed the bridge for 30 years hauling passengers, apples, mail, milk and other freight. It was restored after being used as a shed and chicken coop. Unfortunately, the museum was closed on the day of our visit, which means we'll take a future road trip there.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! This is beautiful, although it was too bad the museum was closed!!! However, knowing you two, your return trip will be even better...:)JP

baili said...

OH my!!!
what bEAUTIFUL BRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
never saw one like this before dear ,thank you sooo much for sharing this heavenly view .
i absolutely LOVED IT!
one can stand or walk over for sooo long amond colors and fragrances

Valerie said...

Lovely. I also liked the half circle archway.

mamasmercantile said...

I have never seen anything like it before in my life, such beauty. What a great place to visit.

Emma Springfield said...

Whoever came up with this idea is a genius. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Such a feast for the eyes.

L. D. said...

Your photos prove that this a marvelous place to visit. There is a large variety of kinds and colors. The history is wonderful too.

William Kendall said...

What a wonderful conversion!

Kay G. said...

Really love this!! THanks very much for sharing it. THey would have had to drag me away from this floral bridge!

Michelle said...

Impressive and Gorgeous! Wow, wish we had that kind of beauty in my small town!

Anvilcloud said...

What a super undertaking, but I'm so sorry hat you will have to return someday. :)

DeniseinVA said...

Great post and what an amazing place to visit. Will have to put it on our bucket list. Lovely photo of the two of you, and also the flowers were super.

Lynn said...

Oh my - that is just gorgeous!

possum said...

What an awesome place!
How fortunate that waterline went over the river!
What a super project to bring so much beauty to so many people.

diane b said...

What a fabulous use of an old rail bridge. Well done to the people who worked hard to make it happen.

Anonymous said...

I just love these pictures and can only imagine how gorgeous this is in person. Wishing you both a nice weekend.