Picture Connecticut: The Frog Bridge

WILLIMANTIC, CT — The latest featured image in the Picture Connecticut series is one of four frog sentinels that stand guard over an eastern Connecticut passageway.

It's the Frog Bridge in Willimantic.

It's officially called the Thread City Passage after the town's rich textile heritage, but who really calls it that?

The frogs are the thing and they turned a plain old bridge into a legend come to life. Yes, back in 1754, local historic lore tells us, thousands of frogs decided to make a whole bunch of noise from nearby Frog Pond. Startled residents feared they were coming from a French or Indian war party.

The bridge takes south street (state Route 661) over the Willimantic River. The frogs were part of a 2001 renovation project and were designed by Leo Jensen of Ivoryton.

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Picture Connecticut is a weekly Patch series featuring unique images of the state, past and present.

Previous featured images:

• The World War Bridge Rapids, Putnam
• The Peeking Cow, Tolland County
• The Ivy Lacrosse Tournament, New Canaan
• The Bradley International Airport runway, Windsor Locks
• The Underground Railroad, Unionville
• The cow carousel, Ellington
• Charles Island, Milford
• State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown
• Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry, Glastonbury/Rocky Hill
• The Old County Jailhouse, Tolland
• Agent Orange Monument, Andover
• The Sunken Garden, Farmington
• Lafayette Tour Monument, Vernon
• The Pinchot Sycamore, Simsbury
• Bob's Discount Furniture Studios, Manchester