Williamsbridge Road

Can you hear the echoes of hooves and carriage wheels? Williamsbridge Road whispers tales of centuries past. Williamsbridge Road isn’t named for a bridge at all, but for a man named John Williams. He was a farmer who lived here before the Revolutionary War. Williams built a bridge across the Bronx River. It was near his farm, and naturally, it became known as “Williams’ Bridge”. Over time, the name evolved into Williamsbridge, both for the area and the road that runs through it. Today, Williamsbridge Road stretches for about 12 miles, a main artery in the Bronx. It runs north to south, from Adee Avenue down to Westchester Square. Interestingly, it doesn’t cross the Bronx River now, despite being named for a bridge over it. The original Williams’ Bridge is long gone. No bridges from the 1700s over the Bronx River remain. Old maps place it east of Eastchester, possibly near where Gun Hill Road is now. While many claim John Williams built the first bridge across the Bronx River, that’s not certain. A military map from 1776 shows at least five bridges already spanning the river. These were named after individuals, likely builders or landowners. Delancy’s Mill Bridge, Hunts Bridge, Valentine’s Bridge, Winter Hill Bridge, and Chatterton’s Bridge all existed. There’s even a theory that the bridge predates John Williams. It might have been built in the 1670s and later named after him when he owned the surrounding land. Williamsbridge Road, a testament to a farmer’s legacy, carries a rich history within its name. It’s a journey through time, connecting us to the earliest days of this vibrant Bronx neighborhood.