Notman Bridge
Why it's listed
This single-lane bridge crosses the East Branch of the AuSable River in the middle of Keene Valley, in the Adirondack Park. Built in 1913, it has a shallow reinforced concrete arch faced with random rubble granite, a span of about 62 feet and a 13-foot roadway. Clarence Edmonds, a local builder, did the formwork for the arch, and Italian stone masons brought from Staten Island by the Notman family, summer residents of the valley, built the bridge. It links the Keene Valley Country Club with the Notman cottage of 1885 and provides access to several seasonal homes. Its stone arch, railings and approaches were designed to blend with the river banks, an approach later seen in WPA-era bridges nearby. The bridge reflects the area's move from industry toward tourism and has served local transportation. Repointing and a concrete cap over the stonework were added in 1989, and the bridge keeps much of its original appearance.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be a well-preserved example of an early-20th-century bridge design meant to suit the rustic, picturesque setting, reflecting the region's shift from industry to tourism. It is also significant for its role in the transportation history of the AuSable River Valley.
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 99001328, listed November 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Country Club Rd. over AuSable R., Keene Valley |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | November 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001328 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1913-1948 |
| Architect / builder | Clarence Edmonds (builder) |
| Architectural style | OTHER: stone-faced, concrete arch bridge |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Entertainment/Recreation, Engineering, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 1989 and described as being in excellent condition; privately owned and still used to reach seasonal homes on the east side of the river. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.19146, -73.78439 (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 99001328.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7063088
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.