When arriving in Bridgewater for the first time a visitor is struck by the panoramic view of the town. Within that view is Bridgewater's namesake, the two bridges.

 At the time when Bridgewater was appropriately named there was only one bridge. A lot of controversy and traffic congestion occurred before the second bridge was finally completed in 1984.

 The first bridge was built about 1825, just up from where the bridge is located today. It was constructed by Messrs., Archer and Nicholson. The timbers used in the construction of the bridge were cut from Solomon Hebb's property, located across from the Dean Wile Carding Mill on Victoria Road. Other timber used was rafted down the river by John Wile.

 The men employed to work on the construction of the bridge consumed large amounts of liquor while working. A shed on site was built for the men to buy rum, since so much time was spent travelling to the tavern. Often the liquor used by workmen was charged against their wages and sometimes wages were not enough to cover their expenses. It was estimated that during the construction of the bridge 13 barrels of rum, each containing a 100 gallons was consumed.

 This bridge stood for almost 20 years, when it had to be rebuilt from a high water mark, due to the decayed upper woodwork. In 1869, the bridge was rebuilt from the piers. The height of it was also increased as well as other improvements.

 The Dominion Bridge Company built the bridge that is currently there today in 1891. The cost to built the bridge was $23,342. It was thought that the bridge would last for a hundred years as long as it was properly cared for. At the time it was considered to be one of the best bridges of its kind in Canada.

 On St. Valentine's Day, 1971, the normally calm LaHave River was raging with ice slabs and high waves. Unseasonably high temperatures and heavy rains dislodged pieces of ice in the ice-packed river. An ice mass struck the bridge and resulted in the total destruction of the east span.

 For three months the town relied upon a single lane emergency bridge. It was during this time that the idea for a second bridge increased dramatically. For more than a decade this issue became a dominant political point.

 On three different occasions proposals for the second bridge were presented and rejected. The population of Bridgewater continued to grow especially with the arrival of the Michelin plant, resulting in heavier traffic and more congestion.

 The problem was finally solved in the summer of 1984, when the Veterans' Memorial Bridge was completed. Years of controversy and traffic congestion were finally at an end.

 Today the two bridges are still enabling Bridgewater residents and visitors to travel with ease around the town.