Bridges Along the Mohawk:

The Mohawk presented a formidable barrier to the westward bound traveler.  Three ferries offered service late into the nineteenth century at Ferry Street, Washington Avenue, and at Beukenkaal.

The Burr Bridge, named for Asa Burr --its designer and cousin to Aaron Burr, was  built early in the 1800's and was the longest suspension bridge of its day.   Its spans were suspended by layers of planks nailed together to form the "cables" (see image at left).
 

It was later covered by a hodge-podge of buildings and became known as a dangerous place.  

The bridge was a popular focus of many paintings like the 1871 work at top which looks toward Schenectady from the Scotia side.   It was raised shortly after this painting in 1874 and the abutments can still be seen at the end of Washington Avenue.

[BRIDGING THE MOHAWK]

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