Julian Street Bridge

Julian St, Scituate, MA, USA

Owned By: Town of Scituate

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The Julian Street Bridge is the smaller of the two bridges that connect Marshfield to Humarock. It is also known as the Francis R. Powers Memorial Bridge. It extends from Bayberry Road to Julian Street, on the southern end of Humarock.

Features

The Julian Street Bridge was originally constructed during World War II, so that ordinance for the Boston Harbor Defense System could be transported to the military station on Fourth Cliff. At the time, the Sea Street Bridge was not strong enough for this. Julian Street itself was deemed a public way in 1942. It was rebuilt prior to 2007, after sustaining storm damage.

The South Humarock Civic Association maintains its headquarters at the eastern end of the Julian Street Bridge. Since 1945, it has supported various civic and charitable causes and hosted events such as dances, races, Bingo, yoga classes and the annual Horribles Parade.

The bridge was dedicated in 2008 to Francis Powers, who lived in Humarock, and served as the Plymouth County clerk of courts for more than 30 years.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites.

Trail Description

If you’d like to launch a canoe or kayak on the South River near Humarock, go a little bit farther downstream to the Marshfield Town Landing or Humarock Beach parking lot, where it’s safer to do so. Currents here can be swift and unpredictable!

Habitats and Wildlife

This bridge crosses the South River at a beautiful spot between Marshfield and Humarock.

The South River originates deep in Duxbury. Its source is in the Round Pond area, and from there it winds unobtrusively through the woods for several miles. Although one can view it from Route 3, and also from both the South River Bogs and the Camp Wing Conservation Area, it remains a narrow and mostly un-navigable stream until just below Veterans Memorial Park. From there it flows through South River Park, behind the playground of South River School, and under the Willow Street and Francis Keville Bridges. Wider at that point, and navigable at most tides, its course winds through the marshes as it runs parallel to Route 139, all the way to Rexhame. From there the river turns northward. It flows for 3 miles between Humarock and the mainland to Fourth Cliff, where it joins the North River at its outlet to the sea.