OLDEST Covered Bridge in the US - Superlatives on Waymarking.com

It was repaired in 1973 and again in 1981, but not long ago, it was in serious need of care. It has now been fully restored.

According to the nearby historical marker:

Constructed in 1829* by the towns of Bath and Haverhill at a cost of about $2,400, this is one of the oldest covered bridges in the United States. Built with 3-by-10-inch planks that were probably sawn at an adjacent mill, the span is the earliest surviving example of the lattice bridge truss that was patented in 1820 by Connecticut architect Ithiel Town (1784-1844). The bridge was strengthened with laminated wooden arches in 1921-22, and the upstream sidewalk was added at about the same time. The 256-foot-long bridge carried traffic for 170 years before being bypassed in 1999.

*There is some discrepancy between the historical marker and the promotional sign, which places the construction two years earlier.

Type of documentation of superlative status: Promotional sign (pictured) Location of coordinates: At southern entrance Web Site: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/31/2015 NorStar visited it 06/17/2014 ORDIMIC visited it 09/17/2012 walkingwildly visited it

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