Morey Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge
|
|
 |
|
 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | NH 25A over the Connecticut R., Orford, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1936 |
| Built by | Hagen-Thibodeau Construction Co. |
| Architect | John H. Wells |
| Fabricator | American Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Steel Arch |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001523 |
| Added to NRHP | December 8, 1997 |
The Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge is a special bridge that connects two states: New Hampshire and Vermont. It carries New Hampshire Route 25A across the beautiful Connecticut River. This strong steel bridge was built a long time ago, in the late 1930s. It replaced an older wooden bridge that was damaged by a big flood.
Contents
What is the Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge?
This bridge is a type called a "steel through-arch bridge." Imagine a giant arch that you drive through! It's very strong and helps cars cross the river safely. The bridge is about 432 feet (132 meters) long. That's longer than a football field! It stands about 35 feet (11 meters) above the water. The arches themselves reach up 85 feet (26 meters) from the road.
How Was the Bridge Built?
The Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge was built between 1937 and 1938. It was designed by John H. Wells. The main parts of the bridge were made by the American Bridge Company. Then, Hagen-Thibodeau Construction Company put all the pieces together. The whole project cost a little over $209,000 back then.
The bridge sits on strong concrete supports called abutments. These supports have a cool, simple design from the Art Deco or Moderne style. There are also "wing walls" that go from the supports into the riverbanks. If you look closely below the bridge, you might see some rocks in the river. These are pieces of the old bridge's supports that were left behind.
What Makes This Bridge Special?
The Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge uses a "tied arch" design. This means the two big arches are connected by special ties. These ties help spread out the weight of cars and trucks as they drive across. This makes the bridge very stable and strong. It's different from some other bridges that send all the weight directly to their end supports.
Who Was Samuel Morey?
The bridge is named after Samuel Morey. He was an important inventor who lived in both Orford, New Hampshire, and Fairlee, Vermont. Samuel Morey was one of the first people to invent and work with steamships. He made many discoveries that helped develop early steam-powered boats.
Why is the Bridge Historic?
The Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge is considered a very important structure. Because of its unique design and history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it is recognized as a special place that should be protected and remembered for future generations.
