So many people reacted with their own great memories of the Stone Bridge and those years when they were young and the bridge held special memories. That was all in response to Dick Stryker’s memories from his youth and sledding down Mount Ave.. According to Thomas Leonard in his “From Indian Trail to Electric Rail,” here is the story of the formal dedication and the names of those involved in having the Stone Bridge become a reality, thanks to the borough of Atlantic Highlands and “public spirited citizens.” It took place in 1896.
“On Saturday afternoon, according to announcement, the town and township officials and a goodly company of private citizens assembled at the new Grand Avenue Bridge to witness ceremonies attending tis formal opening to the public and acceptance by the borough. A speakers platform and seats for invited guests were prepared at the bridge.
Exercises opened with “America” sung by all under the leadership of Professor W.W. Bentley. Reverend J.B. Haines offered the prayer of the occasion, followed by music by the Casino Orchestra.
George F. Lawrie, whose energy, liberality and enterprise have been the foundation of the undertaking, made a speech recounting the history of the bridge up to its completion. His complimented the town on expending $245,000 on public improvements within a few years and pointed out the opportunity for further expenditures for good roads. The bridge at which they were met was not the least of these public improvements and had cost the borough but $800, private generosity furnishing most of the money used in its construction. The structure spoke for the work of the builders and would do so for centuries perhaps. Mr. Nimrod Woodward, the well-known contractor, received eulogistic notice from Mr. Lawrie.
The speakers asked permission of the Mayor and Council to name the structure “Oonuehkoi” commutative of an Indian tribe once dwelling here.
Mr. Lawrie was frequently applauded and at the close of his address Mayor Jacob T. Stout accepted the bridge on behalf of the town. Mr. John E. Foster, borough solicitor, made a forcible and witty speech in which he remarked the enterprise, courage and perseverance of Mr. Lawrie in conceiving the bridge idea and then consummating it in the substantial and beautiful structure now open to the public. The approach to Observatory Park should never more be termed “break neck hill.”
Mr. Charles E. Crowell, whose property adjoins the bridge on the west, as does Mr. Lawrie on the east, spoke of the bridge as a landmark of progress for the town. Neither Europe nor the United States contained a bridge more beautiful of its size and cost. It is a gem which will adorn Atlantic Highlands forever; of inestimable value to advertise the town. Once known it must become a point of interest for tourists and pilgrimages.
Mr. Hanford Crawford eulogized bridges as a means of unit and neighborliness and Oonuehkoi as the ideal bridge for the purpose. He spoke also forcibly for ideal roads to match ideal bridges. He advocated a movement to make streets correspond with this structure by an outlay of $1 per front foot for the improvement. Applause greeted all the speakers.
Dr. E. C Curtis, who has been closely identified with the east side of Atlantic Highlands as President of the Atlantic Highlands Association, was also invited to speak. He reviewed the development of the east side of town and expressed belief that a small deficit between costs and subscriptions for Oonuehkoi should be made up so as to no further tax the measureless generosity of Mr. Lawrie.
Mr. A. B. Bollor of Observatory Park spoke flatteringly of the bridge as a work of engineering and dubbed Mr. Lawrie the Supreme Bridge Builder of Atlantic Highlands. Mr. Bollor is prominent in engineering circles and his judgment therefore is of practical as well as of rhetorical value.
After the exercises, Mr. George F. Lawrie entertained a number of the guests present at the Casino.”
Leonardo wrote his Indian Trail in the vernacular and style of the day, going into great detail with eloquence, if not always accuracy. The book goes on to tell the history of the bridge from the time it was thought about back in 1868 But that’s a story for another day.
