Cold River Bridge (Langdon, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cold River Bridge
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McDermott Bridge
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Adjacent to Crane Brook Road over the Cold River, Langdon, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1869 |
| Architect | Granger, Albert S. |
| Architectural style | Modified Town lattice truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000177 |
| Added to NRHP | May 17, 1973 |
The Cold River Bridge, also called McDermott Bridge, is a super cool old wooden covered bridge. It crosses the Cold River near Crane Brook Road in Langdon, New Hampshire, USA. This bridge was built way back in 1869. It's one of the few covered bridges from the 1800s still standing in New Hampshire! Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Today, cars can't drive on it, but people can still walk across and enjoy it.
Contents
What Makes the Cold River Bridge Special?
The Cold River Bridge is in a quiet, natural area in eastern Langdon. It stretches over the Cold River, right next to Crane Brook Road. This road is where the bridge used to carry traffic.
How Big is This Old Bridge?
The bridge is about 81 feet (25 meters) long. It is also about 16 feet (5 meters) wide. The part where cars used to drive is a bit over 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide.
How Was It Built?
The Cold River Bridge is a single-span bridge. It uses a special design called a "modified Town lattice truss." Think of a lattice as a criss-cross pattern. This design helps make the bridge super strong. It also has an extra strong arch built into it. The bridge rests on strong stone supports.
The bridge has a metal roof to protect it from the weather. Its sides are covered with vertical wooden boards. The openings at each end, called portals, also have vertical siding. The triangular part above the openings is filled with horizontal siding. To keep it extra safe, the bridge is fastened with metal cables to the newer bridge next to it.
A Look Back in Time
People believe this bridge is actually the fourth one built in this exact spot! Town records show that bridges were built here in 1789, 1814, and 1840.
Why Was a New Bridge Needed?
The bridge from 1840 was sadly washed away by a big flood in October 1869. So, a new bridge was needed right away.
Who Built This Bridge?
The Cold River Bridge we see today was built soon after the flood. A person named Albert Granger built it for $450. That was a lot of money back then! Albert Granger's father, Sandford, actually invented the special "Town lattice truss" design used in this bridge.
From Cars to Foot Traffic
This bridge was used by cars and wagons until 1964. That year, the town decided to build the modern bridge next to it. Now, the Cold River Bridge is taken care of by the town. It's a great place for people to walk and enjoy the history!
