The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge was the site of recent rallies against the Trump administration.
Three years ago, it was where crowds gathered after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Two years earlier, there were Black Lives Matter protests there.
Wars — Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam — have been the target of Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge gatherings too.
In fact, just about any controversial national event ends up being argued about on the Post Road span. (With plenty of approving honks, and disapproving middle finger salutes, from passing drivers.)
But the bridge did not always look as broad — or provide as much amble room to stand — as it does today.
Here’s a view of the previous wooden bridge, in an early 1900s postcard from Jack Whittle’s collectin. Relics from an old toll collection system can be seen at the bottom (east bank of the Saugatuck River).
An even earlier view was recently posted to social media.
It too shows National Hall — the town’s first meeting place (and site of its newspaper, Horace Staples’ bank, and the very first location for his Staples High School) — along with a streetcar.
Plus a few men. They may be fishing, walking or chatting.
But they probably were not protesting.
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I think that white building on the right was the old Embalmer’s Supply Company. Now the location of Bartaco.
I remember the bridge keeper’s little building. I thought it was an appealing shape. Wonder if it was removed in tact and might be somewhere else, or more likely just broken up.
By the way, how many people are routinely calling it the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge? Ruth Steinkraus was a wonderful person but that whole name doesn’t flow quite as easily as, say, George Washington Bridge.
I just call it Ruth’s Bridge.
….unmentioned Art exhibits on the bridge, i.e. Vote, Thanks=Giving, etc.
…other protests not mentioned: Russia’s War on Ukraine
Rename it PROTESTERS BRIDGE or BITCH BRIDGE🤓
“Tom’s Woke Derangement Syndrome Bridge”
Tom – did you see this story? It made me think of you, given your frequent use of “TDS!”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/minnesota-justin-eichorn-arrested-soliciting-minor
At one point it was the State Street Bridge and then the Post Road Bridge. Like many Westporters I have been on and around that bridge all my life. Why is it anybody’s bridge? it’s everybody’s bridge. A wooden plague would be appropriate enough.
Lined up the Post Road toward the now Fire Department during Vietnam. That did a lot as most protests do . . . zero. Nobody is listening.
I’m as big a lefty as they come, but these edifices with honorary names for people must confuse the newcomers.
Can we just refer to our two major bridges as the Post Road Bridge and the Saugatuck Bridge? Then everyone will know what in the hell we are talking about.
(Some logical ball field names would be helpful, too.)
Great bridge, no matter what you call it. We always sat there for the Memorial Day parade. Parade Bridge?