On the east side of Stockbridge, Lincoln Lane once provided pedestrian access to a suspension bridge across the Housatonic River, leading to a stop on the Berkshire Street Railway trolley line. Locals referred to this crossing as the “White Bridge” or the “Swinging Bridge.” It is featured in a rare, undated photograph shown above and in a circa 1910 postcard shown below. This bridge should not be confused with the present-day suspension bridge located at the end of Park Street.
Although the trolley ran right down the middle of Main Street in most towns, Stockbridge was an exception. Many Stockbridge residents were strongly opposed to the laying of tracks through the village center. After months of controversy in 1902, track construction heading south was “detoured” near the South Lee-Stockbridge town line. The line turned onto a private right-of-way across the Housatonic River and then ran parallel to the New Haven Railroad tracks.
After the trolley line to Stockbridge and Great Barrington shut down permanently in January 1930, the “White Swinging Bridge” eventually fell into disrepair and was removed. Several years ago, the old trolley path was turned into the Mary V. Flynn trail. The crumbling suspension bridge abutments can still be seen by hikers as shown in the “Now” photo below.
