This state has tons of water, including a craggy coastline and lots of rivers and lakes. With all that water, it’s not surprising that there are a ton of interesting bridges in Maine. From the quaint covered bridges that link town to town and the little, quirky ones that are mostly just meant to be fun for little Mainers, bridge lovers will find plenty to explore. But, the Cribstone Bridge in Maine is so unique it stands out from the others.

One of the most impressive bridges in Maine isn't the tallest, the longest or the oldest.
Paul VanDerWerf / Flickr
But, it just might be the most indicative of what makes Maine so great.
sonny lin / Google
The ingenuity of Mainers, adapting to the sometimes harsh natural surroundings, created this bridge and it's beautiful.
Postalbyke / Google
Located in Harpswell, the Cribstone Bridge in Maine connects Bailey Island with Orr’s Island, which until 1928 were only accessible to one another by boat. The solution to the problem of difficult accessibility was a bridge that's unlike any other in the world.
Alan Rosko / Google

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Maine's tidal system is the most dramatic on the east coast - sometimes rising as high at 9 to 12 feet. To account for that, the bridge needed to be able to withstand natural forces that most bridges will never see.
Postalbyke / Google
The bridge was built using long slabs of local granite, rather than cement. And, each piece was laid in a crisscross way to allow for the tide to pass through without eroding or damaging the structure.
Jerg Luetkens / Google
The granite used ensured that the bridge was heavy enough to keep it from moving when the wind picked up and the tide came through.
metimbers2000 / Flickr
The bridge has remained in place all this time, with just one reconstruction that took place in 2009.
pavdw / Flickr
To find the bridge, head south on Route 24. Once you've arrived at Cook's Corner, you'll find the bridge about 13 miles along the road. You can walk across the structure, but it's safer to simply drive and enjoy it as it was intended.
sonny lin / Google
Do be sure to take a peek at the intricately laid granite from the land though!

 

There are so many great bridges in Maine worth exploring. In fact, the only bridge connecting Deer Isle to mainland Maine has a fascinating history that we think you’ll love.

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More to Explore

Cribstone Bridge in Maine

Sarah | November 10, 2021

Are there any covered bridges in Maine?

Covered bridges dot the landscape of the Northeast, adding an incredible amount of charm and beauty to the area. Maine is no exception, and here are 10 of our favorite covered bridges to visit and explore! One of our favorites is the Hemlock Bridge, a structure that dates back to 1857. Its 109-foot Paddleford truss spans the Saco River. There have been a number of improvements since then, making this one of the most beautiful (and sturdy!) bridges in Maine.

What's the longest bridge in Maine?

Into superlatives? We don't blame you -- there's something so incredibly cool about a massive, man-made bridge! If you're looking for the longest bridge in Maine, look no further than the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, a 2,120-foot-long, cable-stayed bridge that connects Verona Island to Prospect. This bridge is notable for myriad reasons; in fact, our tallest bridge also happens to belong in the Guinness Book of World Records! The bridge opened in 2006 to replace the Waldo-Hancock Bridge which had been in the same spot since 1931. Not only is this bridge the tallest in Maine, but it’s also the tallest public bridge observatory in the entire world! How cool is that? You can learn more about this record-setting bridge in this article.

Where is Cribstone Bridge located in Maine?

If you're ready to embark on an adventure to Cribstone Bridge, you'll probably want to know where in Maine it's located. But, finding it can be complicated by the fact that, if you Google its name, you might come up with a different moniker altogether! The Cribstone Bridge is also known as the Bailey Island Bridge, and you'll find it in the town of Harpswell within Cumberland County. This is a beautiful part of the state, and well-worth exploring once you've visited the bridge!

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Bailey Island Bridge, Harpswell, ME, USA