This Summer, Take a Stroll Across the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge
August 9, 2017 | trioonline
One of Simsbury's most famous landmarks, the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge dates all the way back to 1892. That's when the metal-truss bridge was built 18 feet over the Farmington River. The bridge, which originated as a one-way, one-lane vehicular bridge, stretches across 183 feet and features a 12-foot roadway.
In 1992, the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge was superceded by a new, modern bridge to its north, but that didn't spell the end for the metal-truss bridge. Instead, it was given new life as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge, thanks in part to its placement on the National Register of Historic Places eight years earlier. Simsbury High School students got to work installing the 62 flower boxes that span the length of the bridge, giving the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge its name. The boxes were later joined by 32 hanging baskets and a surrounding cottage-themed garden (maintained by volunteers), solidifying the bridge as one our town's most picturesque spots.
Nowadays, locals and visitors alike come to the bridge to enjoy the scenery and pose for pictures. The Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge remains decorated year-round, so it's always a good time to visit.
