List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in New Hampshire facts for kids

New Hampshire is home to many amazing bridges, and some of the most special ones are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the U.S. state of New Hampshire that are worth protecting because of their history and unique design. These bridges tell us a lot about how people lived and traveled in the past!

Discovering New Hampshire's Historic Bridges

Bridges are super important structures that help us cross rivers, valleys, or other obstacles. In New Hampshire, many old bridges are still standing, showing us the clever ways engineers and builders worked long ago. These bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places because they are important parts of history, architecture, or engineering.

What Makes a Bridge Historic?

A bridge becomes "historic" when it's old and has a special story or design. It might be one of the first of its kind, built with unique materials, or important for how a town grew. For example, many bridges in New Hampshire are covered bridges. These bridges have roofs and walls, which helped protect the wooden parts from snow and rain, making them last longer!

Types of Bridges You'll Find

New Hampshire's historic bridges come in many cool designs:

• Covered Bridges: These are the most famous! They have roofs and sides, looking like long barns. They were often made of wood.
  • Town lattice truss: A common design using a crisscross pattern of wooden planks.
  • Burr truss: Combines a strong arch with a truss (a framework of beams) for extra support.
  • Kingpost truss: A simple design with a central vertical post and two angled supports.
  • Queenpost truss: Similar to a kingpost, but with two vertical posts and a longer flat top section.
  • Paddleford truss: Another type of wooden truss, often seen in New Hampshire.
  • Howe truss: Uses both wood and iron, with vertical iron rods and diagonal wooden beams.
• Stone Arch Bridges: Built from strong stones, these bridges use the arch shape to carry weight. They are very durable!
• Suspension Bridges: These bridges hang from strong cables stretched between tall towers. The Milford Suspension Bridge is an example.
• Truss Bridges: These bridges use a framework of connected triangles (a "truss") to make them strong. They can be made of wood or metal.
  • Pratt truss: A common metal truss design with vertical and diagonal parts.
  • Pennsylvania through truss: A type of Pratt truss, often used for longer spans.
  • Lenticular through truss: Has a unique lens-like shape, curving both above and below the bridge deck.

Some Notable Historic Bridges

Many bridges in New Hampshire are on the National Register. Here are a few examples that show the variety and history:

• Ashuelot Covered Bridge: Built around 1864 in Ashuelot, this bridge uses a Town lattice truss design. It's a classic example of a covered bridge.
• Bath Covered Bridge: From 1832, located in Bath, this bridge features a Burr truss, showing an early way to make bridges stronger.
• Contoocook Railroad Bridge: Found in Contoocook, parts of this bridge date back to 1849! It's a rare example of a covered railroad bridge.
• Cornish–Windsor Covered Bridge: Built in 1866, this bridge connects Cornish to Windsor, Vermont. It's one of the longest wooden covered bridges in the United States!
• Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge: This amazing stone arch bridge in Gilsum was built in 1863. It's a great example of how strong and beautiful stone bridges can be.
• Milford Suspension Bridge: Built in 1889 in Milford, this is a rare suspension bridge in the state, showing a different type of engineering.
• Stark Covered Bridge: Located near Groveton, this Paddleford truss bridge from 1857 is a beautiful landmark in a scenic area.

These bridges are not just old; they are important pieces of our past. They show us how people built things before modern machines and how they adapted to the landscape. Protecting them helps us remember our history and appreciate the skills of past generations.

Images for kids

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  Ashuelot Covered Bridge

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  Bath Covered Bridge

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  Bedell Covered Bridge

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  Bement Covered Bridge

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  Blow-Me-Down Covered Bridge

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  Bog Bridge

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  Carleton Bridge

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  Cold River Bridge

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  Columbia Covered Bridge

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  Contoocook Railroad Bridge

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  Coombs Covered Bridge

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  Cornish–Windsor Covered Bridge

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  County Farm Bridge (Wilton)

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  County Farm Bridge (Dover)

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  Dalton Covered Bridge

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  Dingleton Hill Covered Bridge

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  Durgin Bridge

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  Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge

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  Great Hollow Road Stone Arch Bridge

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  Hancock–Greenfield Bridge

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  Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge

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  Hillsborough Railroad Bridge

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  Keniston Bridge

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  Kenyon Bridge

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  Lyme–East Thetford Bridge

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  Meadow Bridge

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  Meriden Bridge

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  Milford Suspension Bridge

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  Mount Orne Covered Bridge

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  Pier Bridge

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  Piermont Bridge

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  Pineground Bridge

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  Prentiss Bridge

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  Rowell's Covered Bridge

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  Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge

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  Sawyers Crossing Covered Bridge

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  Slate Covered Bridge

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  Stark Covered Bridge

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  Stone Arch Bridge (Keene)

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  Stone Arch Underpass

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  Sulphite Railroad Bridge

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  Swiftwater Covered Bridge

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  Tilton Island Park Bridge

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  Waterloo Covered Bridge

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  West Swanzey Covered Bridge

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  Whittier Bridge

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  Wright's Bridge

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  Corbin Covered Bridge (replacement bridge)