The building of the Yantic River Bridge is pictured here in the early 1980s. In 1996 it was renamed the Thomas F. Sweeney Bridge for his work in securing funds for the bridge, while serving as a Connecticut state representative. All the structures and old houses along the water, from Washington Square up to the church on Washington Street, were demolished for this project. Unlike West Main Street, which had two small bridges to get to the West Side, the new bridge spanned Hollyhock Island and both channels of the Yantic River, from Washington Street to the West Side. The building in the lower right is Norwich’s first Dunkin’ Donuts, which is now vacant. The roof top in the lower left is the Flatiron Building.

Ken Keeley is the author of 12 pictorial books of Norwich history. He can be reached at kenekjr000@comcast.net.