Lovejoy Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lovejoy Bridge
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| Location | Over Ellis River, South Andover, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architectural style | Paddleford truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000057 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1970 |
The Lovejoy Bridge is a really old and special covered bridge in South Andover, Maine. It's built with a unique design called a Paddleford truss. This means it uses a special pattern of wooden beams to make it strong.
The bridge carries Covered Bridge Road over the Ellis River. It's about 9 miles (14.5 km) north of US Route 2. The Lovejoy Bridge was built in 1868. It is one of the few covered bridges from the 1800s that are still standing in Maine. It's also the shortest covered bridge in the whole state! Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Exploring the Lovejoy Bridge's History
The Ellis River winds its way through the town of Andover. It eventually joins the Androscoggin River in Rumford Point. People have likely crossed the river at this spot for a very long time. It's a good place to cross because the river gets narrower here. This made it a useful path for travelers between Rumford Point and Andover village.
This particular bridge was built in 1868. However, a small village already existed nearby before then. This suggests there was probably an older bridge at this same location.
What Makes the Lovejoy Bridge Unique?
The Lovejoy Bridge is 70 feet (21.3 meters) long. It is 20 feet (6.1 meters) wide. The part where cars drive is 17 feet (5.2 meters) wide. The inside of the bridge is 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall.
The bridge sits on strong supports made of large granite blocks. It has a pointed roof, like a house, which makes it 22 feet (6.7 meters) tall in total. The sides of the bridge are covered with vertical wooden boards. The ends of the roof have also been carefully shaped. In 1984, the bridge was made even stronger. This was done so it could safely carry local traffic.
