Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge
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The bridge following restoration in 2004
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Next to NH 135, Woodsville, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architectural style | Town lattice truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000091 |
| Added to NRHP | April 18, 1977 |
The Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge is a really old and cool covered bridge in New Hampshire. It stretches across the Ammonoosuc River, connecting the towns of Bath and Woodsville, New Hampshire. This bridge used to be a road for cars (part of New Hampshire Route 135), but it was closed to vehicles in 1999. After being fixed up in 2004, it's now a special place for people to walk across. Many people think it's the oldest covered bridge in all of New Hampshire!
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What is the Haverhill–Bath Bridge?
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The Haverhill–Bath Bridge is found in the northwestern part of Haverhill. It links the village of Woodsville to a quiet area in Bath. Both towns helped pay for the bridge when it was built in 1829.
How Was the Bridge Built?
The bridge was built by Moses Abbott and Leonard Walker. They took over the job after Airel Miner, who was first chosen, stepped down. This bridge is a special type called a Town lattice truss bridge. It has two main sections that rest on strong stone and concrete supports.
Bridge Dimensions and Design
The part of the bridge where you walk is about 256 feet long and 14 feet wide. The roof is even longer, about 277 feet, covering the bridge and its entrances. On one side, there's a sidewalk that was added later. It's about 6 feet wide. The roof over the sidewalk makes the bridge look a bit like a "saltbox house." The other side of the bridge has cool diamond-shaped openings and two larger rectangular openings.
Surviving Floods and Renovations
This old bridge has seen a lot! It has survived many big floods over the years. One of the most famous floods was in 1927. During that flood, a tree trunk actually poked through the side of the bridge. A barn was also carried by the water right into the bridge structure!
When Was the Bridge Fixed?
Even though it's old, the bridge has been repaired many times. The most recent time it got a big fix was in 2004. Because of its history and unique design, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. You can also find a special sign, New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 190, that tells its story.
