![]() Covered Bridge Tour - Monadnock Region of Southwest NHNothing demonstrates the charm of New England villages like a covered bridge. They represent the inventiveness and know- how of our forefathers. The romanticist might see that covered bridges represent a more relaxed time, free from the stress of modern age. These structures evoke images of a slow horse and buggy ride to church on a quiet Sunday, a stolen kiss under the cover of the bridge, or the peacefulness of fishing from a seat on the edge of the bridge. The ingenious way the old bridges were fitted together becomes apparent as soon as you pass through one of their portals. There, under the protecting roof, on either side, are the posts and crisscrossed braces extending from top to bottom “chord” (the chords are the heavy beams parallel to the line of the roadway). Here in the Monadnock Region we have seven covered bridges! New Hampshire once had nearly four hundred covered bridges, most of which unfortunately are no longer in existence. Some of them were railroad bridges and, although often viewed as charming relics of the past, all of these bridges were actually vital links in New Hampshire's transportation system. ISBN: 1888216123 9781888216127 OCLC Number: 48016300 Notes: Relief shown by shading. Description: 1 map : color; 88 x 58 cm on sheet 90 x 64 cm. ASHUELOT COVERED BRIDGE - NH #1. Location: Winchester, NH - South of N. H. Route 1. 19 in the Upper Village of Ashuelot on Bolton Road over the Ashuelot River in the Town of Winchester. Style of Bridge: Town lattice truss patented by Connecticut architect Ithiel Town in 1. Year of Construction: 1. Original Cost: $4,6. Structural Characteristics: The bridge is 1. It has an overall width of 2. There are sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. Offers a list of covered bridges in New Hampshire. Covered bridges in New Hampshire are one of NH's most scenic symbols of the past. The list of NH covered bridges below offers information about New Hampshire's covered bridges. Covered bridges are one of. Complete list and interactive map of Covered Bridges across New Hampshire including address, hours, phone numbers, and website. Complete List of Covered Bridges Locations in New Hampshire All Places of Interest The structure is currently posted for six tons. Maintained By: Town of Winchester. Historical Remarks: The Ashuelot covered bridge is considered by local historians to be 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. The railroad had a station in the village of Ashuelot. This structure has also been called the Village Bridge or Village Station Bridge. Some sources credit Nicholas Powers as the builder. The Ashuelot Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. COOMBS COVERED BRIDGE - NH #2. Location: Winchester, NH - West of N. H. Route 1. 0, one- half mile southwest of Westport Village on Old Westport Road over the Ashuelot River in the town of Winchester. Take Coombs Bridge Road off Route 1. Style of Bridge: Town lattice truss. New Hampshire Covered Bridges Hanson Studio offers a wide selection of photographs of Covered Bridges in New Hampshire. Below is a complete list of all photographs of New Hampshire covered bridges. All images are available on greeting cards, refrigerator.Year of Construction: 1. Original Cost: Unknown. Structural Characteristics: The bridge has a length of 1. It has an overall width of 1. The abutments are unmortared stone. The bridge is posted for six tons. Maintained By: Town of Winchester. Historical Remarks: The bridge was named after its original builder and owner, Anthony Coombs. The Coombs Bridge once played an important role in both the social and commercial development of the area. Although it is not a necessary transportation link today, it is still convenient to students and tourists near N. H. Extensive repairs were made by the town in 1. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1. Today, the bridge is in need of major repairs. In 1. 98. 4, state officials recommended bypassing the bridge using existing town roads. Such a bypass would require significant improvements to local gravel roads in both Winchester and Swanzey and would result in a considerable detour for residents of this section of both communities. The Coombs Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. SLATE COVERED BRIDGE - NH #4. Location: Swanzey, NH - East of N. H. Route 1. 0 on Westport Village Road near Westport Village over the Ashuelot River in Swanzey. Style of Bridge: Town lattice truss. Year of Construction: 1. The bridge was rebuilt in 2. Original Cost: $1,8. Structural Characteristics: The bridge is 1. It has an overall width of 2. It is reinforced with four iron turnbuckle rods. The bridge is posted for six tons. Maintained By: New Hampshire Department of Transportation. Historical Remarks: The bridge name originates from the Slate family who lived on a farm along the river north of the bridge. It is the third bridge on this location, the first having been built around 1. In 1. 84. 2 William Wheelock was halfway across the bridge with a team of four oxen when the bridge collapsed dropping both driver and animals into the river. Although no one was hurt, Wheelock engaged an attorney from Keene to seek damages from the town. The second bridge was damaged by a snow plow in 1. The Slate Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On March 8, 1. 99. Slate Bridge was destroyed by fire. The current bridge was rebuilt in 2. CARLTON COVERED BRIDGE - NH #7. Location: Swanzey, NH - East of N. H. Route 3. 2 on Carlton Road, one- half mile south of Swanzey Village spanning the South Branch Ashuelot River. Style of Bridge: Queenpost. Year of Construction: Approximately 1. It was completely reconstructed in 1. Original Cost: 1. Structural Characteristics: The bridge has an overall length of 6. It has an overall width of 1. It has fully sheathed sides. The structure is posted for three tons. Maintained By: Town of Swanzey. Historical Remarks: Town records indicate the original bridge at this site was constructed in 1. The bridge was rebuilt in 1. 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. The Carlton Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. THOMPSON COVERED BRIDGE - NH #5. Location: West Swanzey, NH - East of N. H. Route 1. 0 on Main Street over the Ashuelot River in West Swanzey. Style of Bridge: Town lattice truss. Year of Construction: 1. Original Cost: $5. Structural Characteristics: The bridge is 1. It has an overall width of 2. There is a sidewalk on the south side of the bridge. The bridge was posted for six tons until the fall of 1. It was subsequently reopened and is presently posted for 3 tons. Maintained By: Town of Swanzey. Historical Remarks: The bridge was constructed by Zadoc Taft and is also known as the West Swanzey Bridge. In 1. 97. 3, when it was posted for a six ton load limit, school busses were allowed to cross the bridge, but only if empty. When a bus full of students came to the bridge, the students would get off the bus, walk across the bridge, and reboard the bus on the other side. In 1. 97. 6, a new concrete and steel bridge was built nearby to carry heavy vehicles. This new bridge cost $3. The Swanzey Historical Museum has a collection of historical material relating to all the covered bridges in town including a scale model of the West Swanzey Bridge. A highway committee was formed in 1. The West Swanzey Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. CRESSON COVERED BRIDGE - NH #6. Location: Swanzey, NH - One mile north of N. H. Route 3. 2 near the site of an old Indian community on Sawyer’s Crossing Road in Swanzey. It spans the Ashuelot River. Style of Bridge: Town lattice truss. Year of Construction: Built in 1. The bridge underwent major renovations in 1. Original Cost: 1. Structural Characteristics: The bridge is 1. It has an overall width of 2. It has fully sheathed sides. The structure is posted for three tons. Maintained By: Town of Swanzey. Historical Remarks: According to the History of Swanzey by Benjamin Read, this structure is also known by the name Sawyer’s Crossing Bridge. The bridge was reconstructed in 1. The event was celebrated with a big dance held right on the bridge. Lanterns were hung from the rafters, a four piece orchestra played, lunch was served at midnight, and the dance continued all night. In 1. 95. 3 the bridge was used by Arthur Godfrey as a tie- in with a Chesterfield cigarette Christmas carton. In response, Governor Hugh Gregg flew to New York to present Mr. Godfrey with an honorary deed to the bridge making him an owner. The Sawyer’s Crossing/Cresson Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. COUNTY COVERED BRIDGE - NH #8. Location: Hancock and Greenfield, NH - One mile east of U. S. Route 2. 02, three and one- half miles west of Greenfield on the Hancock- Greenfield (Forest) Road. It spans the Contoocook River between Hancock and Greenfield. Style of Bridge: Pratt truss (modified)Year of Construction: 1. Structural Characteristics: The bridge is 8. It has an overall width of 2. It is posted for eight tons. Bridge Name List - New Hampshire Covered Bridges.
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