Choate Bridge
Why it's listed
Choate Bridge carries Main Street (Route 1A) across the Ipswich River in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Built in 1764 entirely of rough hewn granite, it has two elliptical arches resting on a central abutment. The western side, with small evenly cut stones and a guard wall bearing an inscription, survives as first built. In 1838 the eastern side was widened from about 20 feet to 35 feet using larger random ashlar, and the join between the two periods remains visible beneath the arches. The bridge replaced an older cart bridge and was paid for by the county and the town. It was named for Col. John Choate, a stonework expert and public official who supervised the work. It is recognized as an early example of American stone road construction, one of the oldest stone bridges in Massachusetts, and a certified state historic landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is significant in the history of American road building as an early example of stone construction. It is described as one of the oldest stone bridges in Massachusetts, if not the oldest, and has been certified a Massachusetts Historic Landmark. It is also tied to Col. John Choate, who supervised its construction.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000137, listed August 21, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | MA 133/1A over the Ipswich River (S. Main St.), Ipswich |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | August 21, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000137 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (1764) |
| Architect / builder | Col. John Choate supervised construction; built by Town and County, 1764 |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition and marked altered (widened in 1838), on its original site; owned by the Town of Ipswich and in use as part of a public road. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.67953, -70.83727 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000137.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5103443
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.