Wanton Bridge is one of those names that sounds like it should belong to one single bridge. It doesn’t. It’s actually the popular name tied to a crossing that changed shape many times over nearly 400 years on the Sakonnet River in Rhode Island.
If you’ve searched for Wanton Bridge and found mixed results, you’re not alone. The name overlaps with Wanton’s Ferry, the Stone Bridge, and the modern Sakonnet River Bridge. This guide clears up the confusion and gives you the full, factual story.
Where Is Wanton Bridge Located?
Wanton Bridge sits on the Sakonnet River, connecting Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island to Tiverton on the river’s eastern shore. This stretch of water is narrow, which made it a natural spot for a crossing long before engineers ever built one.
Wanton Bridge on the Sakonnet River
The Sakonnet River isn’t a true river in the traditional sense. It’s a tidal strait, meaning saltwater moves through it with the tides rather than fresh water flowing downstream. That detail matters because tidal currents put extra stress on anything built across it, which explains why the crossing needed rebuilding so many times.
Portsmouth and Tiverton: The Two Towns Wanton Bridge Connects
Before any fixed crossing existed, people in Portsmouth and Tiverton depended on boats to reach each other. A direct link across the Sakonnet cut travel time dramatically compared to going the long way around by land.
The story of Wanton Bridge doesn’t start with a bridge at all. It starts with a ferry.
Wanton’s Ferry Came First
Records show a ferry crossing operating at this location as early as 1640. That’s decades before Rhode Island even existed as a formal colony government in the way we think of it today. Farmers, fishermen, and traders relied on this ferry to move goods and livestock between the two shores.
Why It’s Called Wanton Bridge
The name comes from the Wanton family, who became connected to the ferry property during the colonial period. William Wanton appears in historical property records tied to the crossing. The family also had strong maritime and shipping ties in the region, which cemented their name to this stretch of water for generations.
The First Real Bridge Opens in 1795
The Rhode Island Bridge Company bought the ferry rights in 1794 and built a wooden toll bridge the following year. This was a big shift. Travelers no longer had to wait on a ferry schedule or worry about rough water conditions delaying their crossing. They could simply walk, ride, or drive a wagon straight across.
Wanton Bridge and the Stone Bridge Era
Wood doesn’t hold up well against saltwater, tides, and storms. That reality shaped the next chapter of the crossing’s story.
The Stone Causeway Replaces the Wooden Bridge
Around 1810, a stone causeway with a draw span replaced the original wooden structure. Stone offered far better resistance to tidal wear than timber ever could. The draw span, a movable section, let boats pass through so river traffic wasn’t blocked.
The 1907 Steel Stone Bridge
By 1907, transportation needs had changed again. Horses and wagons were giving way to early automobiles, and the crossing needed to handle heavier loads. A new steel bridge, known locally as the Stone Bridge, opened that year and carried what’s now Rhode Island Route 138.
Daily Life Around the Crossing
This bridge wasn’t just a shortcut. It was a lifeline for local commerce. Farmers moved crops across it. Fishermen used it to reach markets faster. Merchants depended on it to keep supply chains running between Portsmouth and Tiverton. Without it, both towns would have stayed far more isolated from each other.
This is the question most people searching for Wanton Bridge actually want answered.
Hurricane Carol Changes Everything
In 1954, Hurricane Carol tore through Rhode Island and caused severe structural damage to the old Stone Bridge. The storm remains one of the most destructive hurricanes in Rhode Island’s recorded history, and the bridge never fully recovered from the impact.
The Sakonnet River Bridge Takes Over
A replacement had already been in the works before the hurricane hit. In 1956, the new Sakonnet River Bridge opened farther north and officially took over as the main road route between Portsmouth and Tiverton.
What’s Left of the Old Bridge Today
Sections of the old Stone Bridge still exist. Some remnants now serve as fishing spots and small breakwaters along the shoreline, giving locals and visitors a physical link to the crossing’s long history.
Wanton Bridge Today
The name lives on, even though the original structures don’t.
Visiting the Historic Site
Anyone interested in Rhode Island history can still visit the area where the old Stone Bridge once stood. The remaining stone sections offer a tangible connection to a crossing that shaped this part of the state for centuries.
The Modern Crossing
The Sakonnet River Bridge now handles the traffic that Wanton Bridge, and later the Stone Bridge, once carried. It’s a faster, sturdier structure built for modern vehicle loads and traffic volume.
FAQ’s
Where is Wanton Bridge located?
Wanton Bridge refers to the historic crossing on the Sakonnet River between Portsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Was Wanton Bridge originally a ferry?
Yes. The crossing began as a ferry service, with records showing it operated as early as 1640, long before any bridge was built there.
When was the first Wanton Bridge built?
The first permanent bridge, a wooden toll bridge, opened in 1795, replacing the ferry that had served the crossing for over 150 years.
Why did Wanton Bridge have a draw span?
The draw span was a movable section that let boats pass through the crossing. Without it, the bridge would have blocked river traffic on the Sakonnet.
What was the Stone Bridge version of Wanton Bridge?
Stone Bridge refers to the later structure built at the same crossing. A steel version opened in 1907 and carried what is now Route 138.
What happened to Wanton Bridge?
Hurricane Carol severely damaged the Stone Bridge in 1954. It was officially retired once the new Sakonnet River Bridge took over the main road route in 1956.
Does Wanton Bridge refer to one single surviving structure?
No. The name covers several structures built across centuries, including a ferry, a wooden bridge, a stone causeway, and a steel bridge, not one bridge still standing today.
What is the modern replacement for Wanton Bridge?
Today’s crossing is the Sakonnet River Bridge, which opened in 1956 and still serves traffic between Portsmouth and Tiverton.
Final Thoughts
Wanton Bridge tells the story of one crossing that evolved again and again, from a simple 1640 ferry to a modern highway bridge. The name may cause confusion, but the history behind it shows how one small stretch of the Sakonnet River shaped travel, trade, and daily life in Rhode Island for nearly four centuries.
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