New Hampshire - Covered Bridges

Covered bridges are a favorite among New England visitors and photographers, from kids to senior citizens

The affection that many visitors acquire for New England’s covered bridges often begins behind a camera. These small gems of 19th-century ingenuity are fun to photograph as weather and the changing seasons costume them with icicles, snow caps, dustings of pale green pollen, dramatic summer cloudbanks, and brilliant fall foliage.

But as people look closer at the structure of the bridges – especially the lace-like, triangulated truss systems that form their skeletons – the simple shutterbug itch begins to turn to curiosity and admiration:

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Bement Bridge
Bradford Center Road
Bradford, NH  03221

Location: One quarter mile north of the intersection of N.H. Routes 103 and 114

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Built in 1854, this bridge carries Bradford Center Road across the west branch of the Warner River. Tradition has it that Colonel Stephen H. Long, a Hopkinton native and a member of the U.S. Army Topographical Engineers, built the bridge. While working for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Long developed a plan for a new covered bridge truss that became nationally known as the Long truss. Long patented his design in 1830. Long truss; 60 feet long.

Blacksmith Bridge
Town House Road
Cornish, NH  03745

Location: 2 miles east of Route 12A

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This bridge, built in 1881, carries a foot path over the Mill Brook in the town of Cornish. It is just a few miles south of the Cornish-Windsor Bridge, which crosses the Connecticut River between Vermont and New Hampshire. The name was derived from a nearby blacksmith shop. One-span multi-kingpost truss; 91 feet long. Parking available along Town House Road for two or three cars.

Blow Me Down Bridge
Mill Road
Cornish, NH  03745

Location: South of Route 12A, 1.5 miles southwest of Plainfield Village

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The Blow Me Down Bridge, built in 1877, carries Mill Road over Blow Me Down Brook. Multi-kingpost truss; 85 feet long. Parking available in pull off before crossing the bridge.

Cilleyville / Bog Bridge
Andover, NH  03216

Location: At the junction of N.H. Route 11 and N.H. Route 4A

Built in 1887, this bridge spans Pleasant Brook. It was bypassed in 1959 and restricted to foot traffic. The bridge was the model for murals of typical New Hampshire scenes which were once located in the State House in Concord. Town lattice truss; 53 feet long.

Cornish-Windsor Bridge
Windsor, VT  05089

Location: Crosses the Connecticut River between Bridge Street, Windsor, VT, and NH Route 12A, Cornish, NH

Probably the most prominent of all of Vermont’s and New Hampshire’s covered bridges, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge, built in 1866, is the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. At 450 feet long, the bridge consists of two spans supported by Town lattice trusses. The pier stands nearly under the midpoint of the bridge: the two clear spans measure 204.6 feet and 203.7 feet. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Three earlier bridges at this spot, the first of them built in 1796, were destroyed by floods. The bridge, which originally cost $9,000 to build, was rebuilt in 1989 at a cost of $4,450,000 and reopened on December 8, 1989.

Dalton / Joppa Road Bridge
Joppa Road
Warner, NH  03278

Location: South of N.H. Route 103 on Joppa Road

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Built in 1853, this bridge carries Joppa Road across the Warner River. This is one of the oldest standing covered bridges in use today. It is also known as the Joppa Road Bridge. The bridge was rebuilt in 1963-1964. Long truss with an auxiliary Queenpost system; 76 feet long.

Dingleton Bridge
Root Hill Road
Cornish, NH  03745

Location: 1.0 mile east of Route 12A on Root Hill Road

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This bridge, built in 1882, carries Root Hill Road over Mill Brook. One-span multiple kingpost truss with a total length of 77 feet. Parking available on left side of Root Hill Road after crossing the bridge.

Edgell Bridge
River Road
Lyme, NH  03768

Location: One mile south of N.H. Route 10, two miles south of Orford Village

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Built in 1885, this bridge carries River Road across Clay Brook. The bridge was assembled on the town common and moved by oxcart to the planned location. In 1936, it washed off its northern abutment. It was moved back, and tied down with cables. Town lattice truss; 132 feet long.

Keniston Bridge
Lorden Road
Andover, NH  03216

Location: South of U.S. Route 4, one mile west of Andover Village

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Built in 1882, this bridge carries Lorden Road over the Blackwater River. The bridge's name came from a prominent family that lived for many years in one of the old homesteads in town. The bridge has been damaged only once, in 1972, when ice tore off several planks. The bridge was rehabilitated by the town in 1981. Town lattice truss; 64 feet long.

McDermott / Cold River Bridge
Landgon, NH  03602

Location: North of N.H. Route 123A, two miles north of Alstead Village

Built in 1869, this bridge is the fourth on this site. Previous bridges were built in 1790, 1814, and 1840. A modern bridge which was built downstream in 1964 and the covered bridge was closed to vehicular traffic and retained for historic reasons. Town lattice truss with light arches; 81 feet long.

Meriden / Mill Bridge
Colby Hill Road
Plainfield, NH  03781

Location: 1 mile northwest of Route 120 in Meriden Village

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This bridge, built in 1880, carries Colby Hill Road over Blood Brook. Two-span multiple kingpost truss with a total length of 80 feet. Large parking area available on right side of Colby Hill Road before crossing the bridge.

Packard Hill Bridge
Riverside Drive
Lebanon, NH  03766

Location: On Riverside Drive in Lebanon

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Between 1780 and 1790 an open timber bridge was constructed at this location for Ichabod Packard. In 1878, the open timber bridge was replaced by a Howe truss covered bridge. It was replaced in 1952 with a Bailey Bridge. The Bailey bridge was replaced in 1991 by the current bridge, which carries Riverside Drive across the Mascoma River. It was constructed in a manner which replicates the traditional style of covered bridges. Howe truss; 76 feet long.

Pier Bridge
Newport, NH  03773

Location: East of Chandler Station and west of N.H. Route 103 on the Concord and Claremont Railroad line spanning the Sugar River.

The current bridge was built in 1907 by the Boston and Maine Railroad to replace a wood lattice bridge constructed in 1871-1872 by the Sugar River Railroad. The double Town/Pratt lattice trusses with laminated arches were long favored on the branch lines of the Boston & Maine Railroad. In 1900 at least 100 of this type of truss were in use on the Boston & Maine system. Double Town-Pratt lattice truss; 216 feet long.

Prentiss / Drewsville Bridge
Old Cheshire Turnpike
Langdone, NH  03603

Location: One-half mile south of N.H. Route 12A

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Built in 1791, this bridge, the smallest covered bridge in New Hampshire, carries the Old Cheshire Turnpike over Great Brook in Langdon. It is the third bridge on this site. It was bypassed in 1954 and now serves foot traffic only. Town lattice truss with light arches; 34 feet long.

Waterloo Bridge
New Market Road
Warner, NH  03278

Location: South of N.H. Route 103, two miles west of Warner Village

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Built in 1840, this bridge carries New Market Road across the Warner River. The structure was completely rebuilt in 1857 and a second time in 1970, and it was rehabilitated in 1987 at a cost of $3,000. Town lattice truss; 76 feet long.

Wright’s Bridge
Newport, NH  03773

Location: Two miles south of N.H. Route 103 and one-half mile west of Chandler Station in Newport

This bridge, on the Concord and Claremont Railroad line spanning the Sugar River, was built in 1906 by the Boston and Maine Railroad. It replaced a wooden bridge built by the Sugar River Railroad in 1871 and 1872. The Concord and Claremont Railroad was well known for its use of the double Town/Pratt lattice truss. In 1915, there were 15 such bridges on the rail line.

Groveton Bridge
Northumberland, NH  03582

Location: East of U.S. Route 3 in the village of Groveton over the Ammonoosue River

The bridge, which crosses the Ammonoosue River, was built in 1852 by Charles Richardson and his son. When U.S. Route 3 was rebuilt in 1939, the Groveton covered bridge was bypassed. It was repaired by Milton Graton and his son Arnold in 1965. It is restricted to foot traffic. Paddleford truss with added arches; 126 feet long.

Happy Corner Bridge
Hill Road
Pittsburg, NH  03592

Location: Two hundred yards east of U.S. Route 3, six miles north of Pittsburg Village

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This bridge was built in the mid-1800s to carry Hill Road across Perry Stream. At that time, this was a busy commercial neighborhood with a sawmill, a store and post office, a Temperance Hall, and a school. Before the bridge was built, people used to ford the stream just upstream of the bridge’s current location. Paddleford truss (light) with added arches; 60 feet long. It is closed to vehicular traffic.

Mechanic Street / Israels River Bridge
Mechanic Street
Lancaster, NH  03584

Location: East of U.S. Route 2 and 3

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The bridge, built in 1862, carries Mechanic Street across the Israels River. It is a Paddleford truss; length is 94 feet.

Mount Orne Bridge
South Lancaster Road
Lancaster, NH  03584

Location: Crosses the Connecticut River between Lunenburg, Vermont, and Lancaster, New Hampshire

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The Mount Orne Bridge, built in 1911, is the second bridge at this site; the first bridge was constructed in the 1860s or 1870s. It was destroyed by a log jam in 1908. A new bridge was built in 1911. In 1969, a truck dropped through the deck. The front of the truck was snagged on a steel rod on the bridge and the rear of the truck landed on the iced-over river below. The truck was lifted, disentangled from the bridge, lowered to the ice, and dragged away. The bridge was closed in 1983 for rehabilitation, and reopened and dedicated in November 1983. Howe truss construction; 266 feet long.

Pittsburg-Clarksville / Bacon Road Bridge
Bacon Road
Pittsburg, NH  03592

Location: South of U.S. Route 3, west of Pittsburg Village over the Connecticut River connecting the towns of Pittsburg and Clarksville

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This bridge is believed to date from 1876 although the actual date of construction is not recorded. This structure is one of seven covered bridges built in Pittsburg and one of three that remain standing. It is the location farthest north of all remaining New Hampshire bridges crossing the Connecticut River. Paddleford truss with added arches; 88 feet long. The bridge is closed to traffic.

River Road Bridge
River Road
Pittsburg, NH  03592

Location: Seven miles north of Pittsburg Village and one mile east of U.S. Route 3

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The bridge, built in 1858, carries the road to Lake Francis State Park across Perry Stream. Restricted to pedestrian traffic. Queenpost truss; 50 feet long.

Stark Bridge
North Road
Stark, NH  03582

Location: Northwest of N.H. Route 110 in Stark Village

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This bridge, built in 1862, carries North Road across the Upper Ammonoosuc River. The bridge was originally a simple Paddleford truss with a center pier. During the 1890s, high water removed the center pier and the bridge was washed downstream. It was brought back by men and oxen and set on new stone piers. The bridge failed again in the 1940s and in 1954 was rehabilitated. During the 1950s, the people of Stark voted to replace the bridge with a new steel bridge. The outcry from artists and covered bridge enthusiasts was so great that the covered bridge was restored. Paddleford truss; 134 feet long, with sidewalks on each side.

Durgin Bridge
Durgin Road
Sandwich, NH  03227

Location: One and one-half miles north of N.H. Route 113, east of North Sandwich Village

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This bridge, built in 1869, carries Durgin Road across the Cold River. The first bridge at this site was built to replace a fordslightly upstream. The current bridge is the fourth one on this site; the others was washed away in 1844, 1865, and 1869. The bridge was also a link in the underground slave railroad from Sandwich to North Conway. Milton Graton and his son Arnold repaired and strengthened the structure in 1967-1968 and it was rehabilitated in 1983. Paddleford truss with added arches; 96 feet long.

Squam River Bridge
River Street
Ashland, NH  03217

Location: On River Street, spanning the Squam River

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This covered bridge, built in 1990, replaces a steel and concrete bridge that was condemned by the state. After the condemnation, the state proposed a two-lane steel bridge for this site. The citizens of Ashland, however, voted to fund one-lane covered bridge. The bridge was constructed by Milton Graton and Sons in the traditional style and was dedicated on July 1, 1990. Town lattice truss; 61 feet long.

Sulphite Bridge
Franklin, NH  03235

Location: One-half mile east of Franklin Falls and south of U.S. Route 3

This bridge carries the Boston and Maine Railroad line across the Winnipesaukee River. This unusual bridge, built in 1896, is the only deck-covered railroad bridge left in the United States. It was named Sulphite because of the large amounts of sulfur transported over the rail lines for use by the giant pulp and paper mills nearby. It is also known as the Upside Down Covered Bridge because the railroad track crosses over the top of the structure rather than running through its center. Service over the line was suspended in 1973. Pratt truss; 1280 feet long.

Whittier Bridge
Ossipee, NH  03864

Location: West of N.H. Route 16 at West Ossipee Village on old N.H. Route 125

The first covered bridge on this site, crossing the Bearcamp River, was built in 1820 and rebuilt in 1832. The current bridge dates from the 1870s. A restoration began in November 1982 by Milton Graton and Sons and was completed in August 1983. The sides of the Whittier Bridge were opened as part of the restoration. Paddleford truss with added arches; 132 feet long. The bridge is closed to vehicle traffic.

Ashuelot / Village / Village Station Bridge
Bolton Road
Winchester, NH  03470

Location: South of N.H. Route 119 in the Upper Village of Ashuelot

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This bridge, built in 1864, carries Bolton Road across the Ashuelot River, It is considered one of New Hampshire’s most elaborate covered bridges. The original purpose of the bridge was to transport wood across the river for use by the Ashuelot Railroad. Two-span Town lattice truss; 169 feet long.

Coombs Bridge
Old Westport Road
Winchester, NH  03470

Location: West of N.H. Route 10, one-half mile southwest of Westport Village

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This bridge, built in 1837, carries Old Westport Road across the Ashuelot River. It was named for after its builder and first owner. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1971. One-span Town lattice truss with a total length of 106 feet.

Henniker Bridge
Henniker, NH  03242

Location: South of N.H. Route 9 in Henniker Village spanning the Contoocook River

This bridge, which crosses the Contoocook river, was built by Milton Graton and his son Arnold in 1972 using traditional methods. The bridge serves New England College and the community of Henniker as a footbridge. Town lattice truss; 136 feet long; limited to pedestrian and maintenance vehicle use.

Railroad Bridge
Hopkinton, NH  03229

Location: East of N.H. Route 103 in Contoocook Village

Built in 1850 and reconstructed in 1889, this bridge carries the Concord and Claremont Railroad line across the Contoocook River. It was built when the Concord and Claremont Railroad laid track from Concord to Bradford, N.H. The bridge washed off its abutments in 1936 when the Contoocook River flooded and again in 1938 from a hurricane. After the flood water receded, the bridge was drawn back to its location and restored. Double Town-Pratt lattice truss; 140 feet long.

Rowell’s Bridge
Clement Hill Road
West Hopkinton, NH  03229

Location: North of N.H. Route 127 on Clement Road

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Built in 1853, the bridge carries Clement Hill Road across the Contoocook River. A short time after it was built, a herd of cattle moved the bridge off its abutments. The structure was brought back and secured. The structure was rebuilt by the state in 1965. The Antiquarian Society in Hopkinton has a demonstration model of a Long truss on display. Long truss with Burr arches; 164 feet long.

Sawyers Crossing / Cresson Bridge
Sawyers Crossing Road
Swanzey, NH  03446

Location: One mile north of N.H. Route 32 near the site of an old Indian community

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This bridge, built in 1859, carries Sawyers Crossing Road over the Ashuelot River. This structure replaces a much earlier bridge on this location. When the rebuilt bridge was opened, the event was celebrated with an all-night town dance on the bridge, with a four-piece orchestra and a midnight lunch. Town lattice truss with a total length of 159 feet.

West Swanzey / Thompson Bridge
Main Street Road
West Swanzey, NH  03469

Location: East of N.H. Route 10

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This bridge, built in 1832, carries Main Street Road over the Ashuelot River. In 1973, when it was posted for a six-ton limit, school buses were not allowed to cross the bridge with students onboard. When a bus full of students came to the bridge, the students would get off the bus, walk across the bridge, and re-board the bus. Closed to vehicle traffic. It is a two-span Town lattice truss with a total length of 136 feet.

Carleton Bridge
Carleton Road
Swanzey, NH  03446

Location: On Route 32, 4.5 miles south of the junction of Route 12 southeast of Keene; then left 0.3 miles

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This bridge, built in 1869, carries Carleton Road over the South Branch of the Ashuelot River. According to local tradition, the bridge was built by local barn builders since the truss construction of the bridge is similar to that used in barns. When it was built, a wagon fully loaded with hay was used as a standard for the height and width of the opening.