Chamberlain Bridge - Merrimack, NH - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

The Chamberlain Bridge is a stone arch bridge that spans the Souhegan River in Merrimack, NH. It carries the Daniel Webster Highway (U.S. Route 3) over the river. The bridge has two spans; the main span (~60-ft) clears the river, and the second span, at the north end of the bridge, is a much smaller span that clears a canal, once used to power factories along the river (Although the factories are no longer standing, the canal system is still in place). This bridge was built in 1921 by the Lovejoy Granite Company of Milford, NH, and replaced a wooden structure built 115 years previously.

This is the historical account of the bridge, per the Town of Merrimack website:

"The present Chamberlain Bridge was built in 1921. The original bridge was a wooden bridge built in 1806. The unique granite bridge was built by the Lovejoy Granite Company of Milford. It is one of the only surviving granite bridges that is straight on one side and curved on the opposite side. Its present structure is sound, consisting of a main arch with a clear span of 60’ 2” and a smaller arch that carried a power canal through one spandel of the bridge to the sites of mills and factories downstream."

(visit link)

Parking is not permitted at the bridge or the firehouse, but parking is available at nearby Watson Park, a property once occupied by the factories that operated along the Souhegan River. The general area is rich in history and certainly worth a visit.

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor vehicles What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: The Souhegan River Date constructed: 1921 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Daniel Webster Highway (U.S. Route 3) Location: Merrimack, NH Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed

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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   09/04/2017 mrducky visited it 05/26/2014 nomadwillie visited it

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