The Merritt Parkway

by Bruce Radde

The Merritt Parkway, on the National Register of Historic Places, connects Connecticut's Fairfield County with New York State. This work traces its history from proposals and design to completion in 1940, exploring its routeing, its 68 bridges, its art deco style and scandal-filled history.

135 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 1993

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I drive the Merritt so much that it's just part of daily life. Packed into this short book is a really well rounded history of the concept, execution and of course controversy along the way. I have always been fond of the Merritt and will favor it over the shameful, hideous, soul sucking, I-95 corridor of Connecticut. Now I have further appreciation for it after reading this book. I am still mourning my favorite snaggly pine tree that was removed from the center median near Greenwich. Luckily the bridges are all registered as historic places. So when the traffic is backed up, look up from your phones or whatever distracts you whilst driving, and look at those bridges! They are so unique and may give you a little peace and joy during a stressful commute or maybe bring you back to a time that will never be again!
It's cliched and true: They don't make them like that anymore.

[Bert Huisman]

11 abebooks

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-researched and well-written. Radde an art history prof from CA. Visiting prof at Ct. College, New London, and the U of Hartford.

notes:
Robert Moses influence, NY work. (Caro, the Power Broker)
Graft & insider trading on land acquisitions. Led to prison term.
Cost-cutting designs:
--lack of accel/decel lanes
--pinched bridges
--double-loaded ramps
Dunkleberger bridge facade designs
--good humored character, touch of fantasy, likable, offbeat
Borglum, the scrappy sculpture of Stone Mtn & Mt Rushmore, threatened trouble if the bridge near his Rippowam River home wasn't veneered with stone.
44..design not purist about Art Deco...zig-zag, streamlined, WPA Moderne
84..H Ross, NYer, built retreat on 11 acres (bought from Borglum)..fought public picnic areas nearby
90..the acres of grass costly to maintain, versus usual hwy landscape. Hwy engineers worked with lawncare companies to perfect new types of power mowers. 65% reduction in cutting costs. Led to better home mowers.
115..1940 pulling out of Depression..workers got $4k/yr...Hitler's Autobahn 1935 Frankfurt (aside: Eisenhower was impressed, and that influenced design of interstate hwy)

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book about the Merritt Parkway, started during the depression as a WPA project and finished around 1940. Built with cheap labor but creative building and design techniques, and turned out to be a design and architectural wonder that's on the National Register of Historic Places. A good, enjoyable, quick read.

[Tacy]

Good book, I just have too much to read.