Hemlock Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hemlock Bridge
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Fryeburg Center, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architectural style | Paddleford Truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000056 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1970 |
The Hemlock Bridge is a special covered bridge located in a quiet, rural area of Fryeburg, Maine. It was built a long time ago, in 1857! This bridge carries Hemlock Bridge Road over a part of the Old Course Saco River. It's found near the western side of Kezar Lake in eastern Fryeburg. The Hemlock Bridge is very important because it's the last covered bridge from the 1800s still standing in Fryeburg. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, which means it's recognized as a historic landmark.
What Makes the Hemlock Bridge Special?
The Hemlock Bridge is a single-span bridge, meaning it crosses the river in one big section. It uses a special design called a Paddleford truss. This type of truss uses a pattern of strong wooden beams to support the bridge. The bridge is about 116 feet (35 meters) long. From the road deck to the highest point of its roof, it stands about 20 feet (6 meters) tall. Inside, there's about 14 feet (4 meters) of space for vehicles. The roadbed itself is 16 feet (5 meters) wide.
The bridge rests on strong granite blocks. These blocks are about 15 feet (4.5 meters) above the riverbed. The river it crosses, the Old Course Saco River, is a leftover part of the original Saco River. The main Saco River was changed in the early 1800s when people dug a canal to make it flow differently.
A Look Back at Fryeburg's Bridges
The Hemlock Bridge was one of seven covered bridges built in Fryeburg during the 1800s. All these bridges crossed the Saco River. Back then, the Saco River used to wind around a lot, making a big, nearly circular loop across the flat land.
In 1815, people living in the area asked the state to change the river's path. They said the river's long loop was "thirty-six miles of river and six miles of country." This meant it took a very long time to travel around the river's bends. So, they dug a canal to make the river flow in a shorter, straighter path.
When the canal was built, five bridges already crossed the Saco River. The Hemlock Bridge was built later, in 1857. Out of all seven covered bridges built in Fryeburg during that time, the Hemlock Bridge is the only one still standing today. The state of Maine helps to keep this historic bridge in good condition.
