From 1937: "The Mattabeseck Bridge"

The following letter to the editor is from 75 years ago yesterday, published in the Hartford Courant on February 4th, 1937. The bridge now known as the Arrigoni Bridge opened in 1938, but it did not receive its current name until years later.

The photograph, of a bridge construction crew, is courtesy of The Middlesex County Historical Society.
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This Name Suggested for New Structure to Cross the River

To the Editor of the Courant:-
The new highway bridge across the Connecticut River between Middletown and Portland forming part of the great artery connecting east and the west will be used by hundreds of thousands. The need of a distinctive name which will be as outstanding as the Mohawk Trail or the Storm King Highway is felt. The Middlesex County Historical Society is sponsoring the name "The Mattabeseck Bridge," with the original spelling as found in the colonial records of Connecticut.

The Mattabeseck tribe of Indians occupied the territory now included in the towns of Middletown, Portland, East Hampton, Cobalt, Middle Haddam, Cromwell and Middlefield. This land was bought from them and the deed recorded in our Land Records, Vol. 1. This was the name given to the first settlement in 1650, but was changed to Middletown in 1653 as half way between Windsor and Saybrook. This name has no duplicate inthe country, would have much local significance and would be a reminder of our early history which the present generation as well as the older people, are apt to overlook.

The name "The Middletown-Portland Bridge" has been suggested, but with nineteen Middletowns in the United States and Portlands from Maine to Oregon, it would mean little beyond the immediate vicinity. We all understand the desire of the 26th Division to honor their beloved commander General Edwards. A statue in Hartford would seem more fitting tribute, and we would heartily endorse such a bill. A bridge near Boston has been erected to be named after him, and a duplication of names is apt to be misleading.

The Middlesex County Historical Society of Middletown earnestly hopes that the name, "The Mattabeseck Bridge" will have careful consideration and the name which is best adapted to the locality chosen.

JESSIE M. ALSOP
Secretary Hartford County Historical Society
Hartford, Feb. 2, 1937.