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Riverdale Neighborhood Bordered by 4 Bridges-Historical Walking Tour

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Riverdale section of Dedham has long been known as a close knit neighborhood whether called Riverdale, Riverdale Island, Cow Island, Dedham Island, Great Island or Pine Heights. 

You will see or learn many examples of history, unselfishness, generosity, and Riverdale pride as you walk along on this trail. 

Riverdale is geographically bound by four bridges over the Charles River:


Images

Charles River-Spring Street Bridge or Robert L. Cawley Bridge (at the West Roxbury Line), the original stone bridge connecting Bridge St. and Spring St., was updated in 1916 and 2001.

Water, Building, Window, Body of water

Ames Street Bridge, built in 1840’s, widened in the 1920’s and last updated in 2012.

Water, Sky, Plant, Tree

Current Cart Bridge on Bridge Street/109

Water, Liquid, Fluid, Lake

Zappe’s Bridge or The Causeway Bridge spans the beginning of Long Ditch at Charles River -Needham Street at Needham Line.

Water, Natural landscape, Wood, Plant

Heading towards Cow Island Pond and Millennium Park.

Water, Plant, Sky, Tree

Ames Street Bridge circa 1920

Water, Sky, Tree, Plant

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

  • Charles River-Spring Street Bridge or Robert L. Cawley Bridge (at the West Roxbury Line), the original stone bridge connecting Bridge St. and Spring St., was updated in 1916 and 2001. Once the trolley lines from Boston and Wellesley came down the VFW Parkway, this area became a popular recreational area in the 1920’s with canoeing, fishing, picnicking and even an amusement park including a carousel(pictured here back left-center on Dedham side) Refer to Stop 2 of this walk for more details.
  • Ames Street Bridge was built in 1840’s and widened in the 1920’s with the last update in 2012. This bridge is located near the Keye, the landing place of first “Contentment” settlers in 1635 and Powder House Rock. Refer to Stop 6C of this walk for more details.
  • Bridge Street Bridge was also called the Cart Bridge because it was part of an exchange of land for a road leading to the cart bridge in 1644. This bridge was updated last in 2011 is located by the Bridge Street entrance to Noble and Greenough and Dedham-Westwood Water Company Pumping Station pictured here. #Not easily accessible by foot due lack of finished sidewalks Refer to Stop 6D of this walk for more details.
  • Zappe’s Bridge or The Causeway Bridge spans the beginning of Long Ditch at Charles River -Needham Street at Needham Line. Dug in 1654, Long Ditch(1/2 mile in length) spanned a 3- mile loop in the Charles to lessen the effects of flooding and let meadow grassland flourish. This colonial masterpiece turned this part of Dedham into an island now called Riverdale.# This narrow bridge and well system right at the Dedham/Needham line was replaced and updated in 1928( lead by Christian Zappe, thus the nickname that locals often use for this bridge) and most recently in 2018. Refer to Step 8 of this walk for more details

#Not easily accessible by foot due lack of finished sidewalks(drive and park at canoe launch or parking for hiking trail)