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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