Posted by Emily on 7/15/2024 to
Commemorative Gifts
General Sullivan Bridge
The General Sullivan Bridge is a 9-span steel deck and thru truss with an overall length of 1,528 feet. The bridge was completed in 1934 and carried vehicular traffic until 1984. From 1984 - 2018 it was only open for bicycle and pedestrian crossing and a location for anglers who enjoy fishing the waters below. The process to repair or replace the superstructure of the bridge is ongoing.
General Sullivan Bridge Significance
The vicinity of the General Sullivan Bridge was one of the earliest water crossings in New Hampshire. Over time, and as automobile traffic increased, the roads approaching the crossing became part of the first set of state highways. The General Sullivan Bridge carried traffic across Little Bay for more than 30 years until turnpike traffic demands required more capacity and the Little Bay Bridge was constructed and opened in 1966. The General Sullivan Bridge is the longest existing pre-1940 bridge in New Hampshire. Its continuous truss form advanced the design and construction methods of its day and it is attributed to the influence of future highway bridges using similar structural principles and configurations. The bridge is significant at a state level based on function and connectivity of critical transportation networks in NH. The challenges that were overcome in the construction of the bridge itself are also significant since the bridge is subjected to some of the strongest tidal currents along the eastern seaboard of this country. The bridge exhibits much of its original construction.
General Sullivan
So who was this bridge named after?
John Sullivan was an attorney, a general in the War for Independence, governor of New Hampshire, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and a federal judge. Sullivan also did work on the failed Canadian expedition by collecting the troops after they retreated. Sullivan was at many of the most important battles in the War for Independence. He was at Valley Forge with George Washington and he crossed the Delaware with Washington.
Why this design?
We chose to make this ornament for Christmas of 2023 for a few reasons. The first and main reason is to commemorate the 400th anniversary of a multitude of New Hampshire towns on the seacoast. The second reason is John Sullivan's hometown is Somersworth, NH. Somersworth is a special city for us because our factory is located in Somersworth. The third reason is the General Sullivan Bridge connects the Tri-City (Somersworth, Dover, and Rochester) area with Portsmouth.
Click here to view the General Sullivan Bridge Ornament.