Stark Covered Bridge facts for kids
The Stark Covered Bridge is a special old wooden bridge in Stark, New Hampshire. It crosses the Upper Ammonoosuc River. This bridge helps connect Northside Road to New Hampshire Route 110. It's a beautiful part of the area's history.
Quick facts for kids |
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Stark Covered Bridge
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Stark, New Hampshire |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architectural style | Paddleford truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000283 |
| Added to NRHP | December 01, 1980 |
Contents
Discover the Stark Covered Bridge
The Stark Covered Bridge is a very old and important bridge. It was built in either 1857 or 1862. This bridge replaced an older floating bridge that was nearby. It is a great example of old-time engineering.
Built to Last: Bridge Design
This bridge uses a special design called a Paddleford truss. This is a unique type of bridge structure. It is a regional version of the Long truss design. The bridge is about 151 feet (46 meters) long. Its main span stretches 138 feet (42 meters).
The bridge is 29 feet (9 meters) wide. It has an 18-foot (5.5-meter) wide road for cars. There are also two sidewalks, each about 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide. The ends of the bridge rest on strong granite stones.
The middle of the bridge is supported by a concrete pier. This pier is shaped to help push away debris in the river. Steel beams also make the bridge stronger. This allows it to hold up to 15 tons. The bridge is painted bright white. It also has acorn-shaped decorations hanging from it.
A Bridge Through Time: Its History
When the bridge was first built, its middle support was also made of granite. However, a big flood in 1890 or 1895 washed away this support. The bridge itself survived the flood. Workers put it back onto its end supports.
They also added curved wooden arches to make it stronger. People thought these arches would mean no more central support was needed. This design worked for many years. But by 1946, the bridge started to sag. A temporary wooden support was added in the middle.
In 1954, the bridge was rebuilt again. This is when the current concrete pier was added. The steel beams were also put in place. The old curved wooden arches were removed during this rebuild.
A National Treasure: Historic Recognition
The Stark Covered Bridge is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it is recognized as a special historical site. It is protected for future generations to enjoy.
