Wanton bridge can mean two different things. One is the historic crossing tied to Wanton’s Ferry on the Sakonnet River in Rhode Island. The other is a 1989 historical romance novel by Rosalyn Alsobrook.
What Is Wanton Bridge?
Wanton Bridge Meaning in Two Parts
The first meaning is a place. It sits on the Sakonnet River between Portsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island. The second meaning is a book, a western romance published by Kensington Publishing Corporation.
Which Wanton Bridge Should You Read About?
Want history, maps or old bridge facts? Read the Rhode Island sections. Want a paperback to read or buy? Skip to the novel sections.
Where Was Wanton Bridge Located?
Wanton Bridge Rhode Island Location
Where was wanton bridge? It stood on the Sakonnet River. The crossing linked Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island with Tiverton on the eastern shore.
Why This Spot Mattered
The river was a barrier. A crossing here saved travelers a long trip around the water. Farmers, fishermen and merchants all used it.
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Wanton’s Ferry: The Crossing Before the Bridge
Wanton Bridge History Starts With a Ferry
Was wanton bridge originally a ferry? Yes. Records place ferry service here as early as 1640. People moved goods, livestock and supplies across by boat.
Where the Name Wanton Comes From
The name comes from the Wanton family, who held the ferry property in colonial times. William Wanton appears in records tied to it. The name comes from the family, not from any bridge design.
Other Names for the Crossing
The same route also went by Howland’s Ferry and Sanford’s Ferry. This is why searches for “wanton bridge” can feel messy.
Wanton Bridge History Timeline: Ferry to Modern Bridge
The 1795 Wooden Toll Bridge
What year did the first permanent bridge open? In 1795. The Rhode Island Bridge Company bought the ferry rights in 1794 and built a wooden toll bridge. Wagons and riders no longer waited for a boat.
The Stone Causeway and Draw Span
Around 1810, a stone causeway with a draw span replaced the wood. Storms, tides and waves had worn the timber down.
Why did the bridge have a draw span? Boats needed room to pass. The movable section let ships through while road traffic kept moving.
The 1907 Steel Stone Bridge
A steel Stone Bridge opened in 1907. It carried Rhode Island Route 138 across the river. It also kept a draw section for boats.
Hurricane Carol and the Sakonnet River Bridge
What happened to the Stone Bridge? Hurricane Carol hit Rhode Island in 1954 and badly damaged it. In 1956, the new Sakonnet River Bridge took over the main road route.
The full path looks like this:
- 1640: early ferry service
- 1795: wooden toll bridge
- Around 1810: stone causeway and draw span
- 1907: steel Stone Bridge
- 1954: Hurricane Carol damage
- 1956: Sakonnet River Bridge opens
Why the Name Wanton Bridge Causes Confusion
No Single Bridge Held the Name
Old records use specific names for each stage: the ferry, the toll bridge, the Stone Bridge. “Wanton bridge” is a modern shortcut that covers all of them.
Better Search Terms for Research
For deeper research, try Stone Bridge Rhode Island, Wanton’s Ferry or Sakonnet River Bridge. These match how historical sources name each stage.
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Wanton Bridge Today
What Is the Modern Crossing Called?
The modern crossing is the Sakonnet River Bridge. Pieces of the old Stone Bridge remain. Some of them now serve as fishing spots and breakwaters.
Who Might Visit the Site?
The site suits local history fans, road-trippers and readers tracing Wanton family roots.
Wanton Bridge Book Overview: Rosalyn Alsobrook’s 1989 Novel
Wanton Bridge Novel Details
Who wrote the wanton bridge novel? Rosalyn Alsobrook. When was it published? May 1, 1989, by Kensington. The book runs 445 pages in mass market paperback.
The ISBN-10 is 0821726501. The ISBN-13 is 9780821726501. Google Books files it under Fiction, Romance, Historical.
What Is the Wanton Bridge Book About?
Callie Thomas wants out of a Cinderella-type life back East. She answers Matthew Tucker’s ad for a wife. Tucker’s sworn enemy, a Texan named Wade Barlow, meets her stagecoach instead.
Expect classic western romance touches: a stagecoach, a ranch, a headstrong heroine and an enemies-to-lovers feel. Google Books’ word list also shows terms like Twin Oaks, cattle and sheriff.
Where to Buy the Wanton Bridge Book in the USA
Used Copies and Current Prices
Where can I buy a copy of wanton bridge? Better World Books lists a used copy in Good condition at $6.32. eBay showed a listing at $6.77 with free shipping. Prices change often, so check before you buy.
Smart Buying Tips
Match the ISBN to the listing. Check the condition grade. Be careful with odd prices, since one eBay listing showed nearly $400, and with title typos such as “Wanton Bride.”
You can also ask WorldCat for a library copy. Google Books links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and IndieBound. Google Books lists no eBook. Better World Books shows eBook and audiobook options, but I couldn’t confirm that either exists for this title.
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Conclusion
Wanton Bridge in a Nutshell
Wanton bridge points to a Rhode Island crossing that grew from a ferry into several bridges. It also points to a 1989 western romance by Rosalyn Alsobrook. Pick the meaning you need, and use the details above to find what you’re after.
FAQ’s
Where was wanton bridge?
It stood on the Sakonnet River between Portsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Was wanton bridge originally a ferry?
Yes. Records point to ferry service there as early as 1640.
What year did the first permanent wanton bridge open?
A wooden toll bridge opened in 1795.
What was the Stone Bridge?
It was a later structure at the same crossing. The steel Stone Bridge opened in 1907.
What happened to the Stone Bridge?
Hurricane Carol damaged it badly in 1954. The Sakonnet River Bridge took over in 1956.
Does wanton bridge refer to one surviving bridge?
No. Historical records name the ferry and each bridge stage separately.
Who wrote the wanton bridge novel?
Rosalyn Alsobrook wrote it. Kensington Publishing Corporation released it in 1989.
What genre is the wanton bridge book?
It is a historical romance with a western setting.
I’m Will Smith, creator of KnockPunJokes.com. I share funny jokes, puns, and knock-knock laughs to spread happiness and brighten everyday moments with humor.
