Trip Report

12 Covered Bridges in the Northern Half of New Hampshire /  by Todd Henson

Twelve covered bridges in the northern half of New Hampshire as seen in June of 2025.

While visiting New Hampshire in late June of 2025 my father and I sought out a number of covered bridges. Some of these I remembered from my youth but others were completely new to me. Some we only viewed in passing while others we spent time exploring. Over time I plan to create individual posts about many of these beautiful covered bridges and I will link to them from here.

The photo collage above shows the bridges in the order we visited them (though we did revisit some). But for the list below I’ve chosen to sort them by their New Hampshire covered bridge number. As of the time I’m writing this there are 58 numbered historic covered bridges in New Hampshire, so even though we thought we did well visiting 12 of them there are still many more to explore.

27: Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge

Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge (Bath, NH)

Located in Bath and originally built in 1829 (apparently the sign at the bridge that says 1827 is incorrect), it is the oldest covered bridge in New Hampshire and one of the oldest in North America. It is a two span bridge and the oldest example of a Town lattice truss covered bridge still in existence. The bridge spans the Ammonoosuc River, which in Abenaki means “small, narrow fishing place”. Just beyond this point the river flows into the larger Connecticut River. We visited this bridge on June 19th and 25th.

28: Bath Covered Bridge

Bath Covered Bridge (Bath, NH)

Also located in Bath and also spanning the Ammonoosuc River, this is a four span bridge with a unique truss design and is the longest covered bridge entirely within New Hampshire (those that span the Connecticut connect New Hampshire and Vermont). It was originally built in 1832 which gives it the distinction of a possible tie for the second oldest covered bridge in New Hampshire, along with the West Swanzey Bridge, built the same year. Interestingly, it’s the fifth bridge at this location with the first built in 1794. The previous bridges were destroyed by things like ice and flooding. We visited this bridge on June 19th.

29: Swiftwater Covered Bridge

Swiftwater Covered Bridge (Bath, NH)

Like the previous two, this bridge is located in Bath. It is a two span Paddleford truss and spans the Wild Ammonoosuc River, a tributary that flows into the Ammonoosuc. The bridge was built in 1849, though as is often the case previous bridges existed at the location as far back as 1810, with some of the previous incarnations destroyed by flooding. We visited this bridge on June 19th.

30: Mount Orne Covered Bridge

Mount Orne Covered Bridge (Lancaster, NH)

This bridge spans the Connecticut River between Lancaster, New Hampshire and Lunenburg, Vermont. It is a two span Howe truss originally built in 1911, and as with many bridges, it replaced previous bridges at the location that had been destroyed (possibly by a flood or a log jam). A sign over the bridge on the Vermont side lists the year 1911 when it was built and 1983 when it underwent a major overhaul to repair many problems. We visited this bridge on June 19th.

31: Mechanic Street Covered Bridge

Mechanic Street Covered Bridge (Lancaster, NH)

Located within Lancaster and built in 1862, this single span Paddleford truss bridge spans the Israel River. It was once overshadowed by the grander Main Street/Double Barrel Bridge constructed the same year, but is now the only covered bridge spanning the Israel. In 2006 it underwent major restorative work to keep it operational. I have fond memories of this bridge from my youth when visiting my father’s family in town. We visited this time on June 19th.

32: Groveton Covered Bridge

Groveton Covered Bridge (Groveton, NH)

This is a single span Paddleford truss with arches built in 1852 and spanning the Upper Ammonoosuc River in the town of Northumberland and the village of Groveton. It no longer supports auto traffic (as of 1939) and is now strictly a pedestrian bridge with a newer non-covered auto bridge just out of sight towards the right. As with many bridges it has had its fair share of problems and repairs over the years. We visited this bridge on June 20th.

33: Columbia Covered Bridge

Columbia Covered Bridge (Columbia, NH)

This single span Howe truss bridge spans the Connecticut River bridging Columbia, New Hampshire with Lemington, Vermont. It was constructed in 1912, though as with many bridges it replaced previous bridges dating back to 1820. And as with many bridges, it has undergone repairs and restorative work over the years. We visited this bridge on June 20th.

37: Stark Covered Bridge

Stark Covered Bridge (Stark, NH)

This bridge is a single span Paddleford truss spanning the Upper Ammonoosuc River in the town of Stark. There is some disagreement about its original date of construction though it appears to be between 1853-1862 with the town stating it was 1862. Interestingly it was originally built as a two span bridge but in 1895 flooding tore the bridge loose and swept it downriver. Somewhat miraculously the bridge survived and was restored, though this time as a single span to hopefully reduce the risk of the same thing happening again. Over the years, though, the bridge began to sag and in 1948 a new center pier was installed. As is often the case more restorative work was done over the years, and more is likely still needed. This bridge has some extra meaning for me because my grandfather was born just the other side of the bridge and married in a church just out of view on this side. We visited this bridge on June 22nd.

48: Saco River Covered Bridge

Saco River Covered Bridge (Conway, NH)

This bridge is a two span Paddleford truss with arches and dates to 1890. As its name implies it spans the Saco River in the village of Conway. It wasn’t the first bridge at this location, replacing previously destroyed bridges. The most noteworthy example was major flooding in 1869 that tore the Swift River bridge, upstream of this one, off its abutments, smashing it into the Saco River Bridge, destroying both. Throughout the years it has had its fair share of repair work. We didn’t visit this bridge but I happened to snap a photo as we crossed a non-covered bridge just downriver on June 24th.

49: Albany Covered Bridge

Albany Covered Bridge (Albany, NH)

This is a single span Paddleford truss with arches that spans the Swift River. It was built in 1858 and sits at the same location as previously destroyed bridges. It’s a stop just off the popular and very scenic Kancamagus Highway in the town of Albany and within the White Mountain National Forest. There is a decent sized parking lot on this side of the bridge just to the right with trails along the river. Apparently the bridge is closed during the winter months to reduce the chance of accidents and to limit salt and sand being tracked onto its timbers. We visited this bridge on June 24th.

50: Bartlett Covered Bridge

Bartlett Covered Bridge (Bartlett, NH)

This is a single span Paddleford truss with arches that spans the Saco River. There seems to be some question as to when the bridge was built. Town record would indicate around 1880 though there are other reports of around 1851. It was in active use until 1939 when the newer bridge visible in the photo was first built. The covered bridge was then used as a storage facility. Eventually, around 1966, it was sold to someone living next door to the bridge with the one stipulation being they keep the outside appearance the same. The bridge was in need of major repair work, after which they build a gift shop inside. It has changed hands a couple times since then but is still home to a gift shop, and a nearby bed and breakfast. We didn’t visit the bridge but drove by on June 22nd.

51: Jackson Covered Bridge

Jackson Covered Bridge (Jackson, NH)

This bridge is a single span Paddleford truss with arches, spanning the Ellis River in Jackson. It’s apparently unclear exactly when the bridge was built though it appears to have been around 1876. Much of its earliest history was either not well documented or the documents were lost, though there is documentation about more recent repair work. It featured prominently in a 1974 photograph of the Anheuser Busch Company Clydesdales Horses riding through the bridge. We visited this bridge on June 19th.

BONUS: Littleton Riverwalk Covered Bridge

Riverwalk Covered Bridge (Littleton, NH)

And as a bonus (for a baker’s dozen of covered bridges) we have the Paddleford truss pedestrian bridge in Littleton. Built in 2004, it’s both a tourist attraction and an easy means of crossing the river between downtown Littleton and the Riverwalk trail and the local senior center. We visited this bridge on June 19th. 

Resources

Most of the details within this post were learned either from signs at the bridges or from the fantastic book, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire by Kim Varney Chandler, which I purchased from a small local shop in Lincoln while on the trip. It’s well worth it if you plan to visit the area or are just interested in covered bridges and their history and construction. The link takes you to the author’s website for the book with lots of extra information and with links to let you purchase directly from her.

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A Visit to Lancaster, New Hampshire /  by Todd Henson

Main Street, Lancaster, New Hampshire

In June of 2025 my father and I spent some time back in Lancaster, New Hampshire. He grew up there and I recall visiting many times throughout my youth, so it’s always interesting to return to the town and see how much it continues to change over the years. And though it is very different from what it once was, it still retains much of the look and feel I recall from younger days. Originally chartered in 1763, it appears to be thriving today and successfully adapting to the times.

Main Street

Crossing the Israel River in Lancaster, New Hampshire

Both photos above are of Main Street, Lancaster. The first is a wide view facing the bridge over the Israel River. The yellow building on the left is now home to The Yellow Deli, a new location to us and one with fantastic sandwiches (I had the best salmon sandwich I’d ever tried there).

Continuing down the left side beyond the nearest side street is the old bank building (Lancaster National Bank) with the vertical “Lancaster” sign that now houses the Copper Pig Brewery, the W. M. Rugh Gallery and possibly more. Just beyond that, over the Israel River bridge is the Masonic Lodge. The yellow building on the right side used to have a great candy store downstairs, S.N. Evans, though it’s now vacant, and my father’s family lived just upstairs. I have lots of great memories in that building heading down to the candy store.

The second photo is facing the opposite direction from atop the Israel River bridge. You can see the old bank building with the brewery on the right side, and my father’s house the second building on the left. The town has managed to retain the classic “old town” feel even as old businesses close down and new ones move in.

Mechanic Street Covered Bridge

Historic Mechanic Street Covered Bridge

If you drive past the old bank building, over the Israel River bridge, and turn left on Mechanic Street, you can see Lancaster’s beautiful red Historic Mechanic Street Covered Bridge, which also crosses over the Israel River. It originally dates back to 1862 and is the last remaining of three covered bridges that once spanned the Israel. It’s interesting to note that as beautiful and iconic as it is today it was apparently a lesser bridge than the grander Main Street/Double Barrel Bridge also constructed in 1862. But being the last one standing it’s now much more appreciated.

Rialto Theatre

The Rialto Theatre

Returning to Main Street, and heading further into town you’ll find the Rialto Theatre, just visible in the first photo on the far right hand side. For the photo of the theatre I chose to give it that older monochromatic feel to go along with its age. The building it resides in was constructed in 1930 by Homer Graves and the Rialto Theatre opened its doors the next year. It’s fantastic to see it still in business and showing movies on Main Street.

William D. Weeks Memorial Library

The William D. Weeks Memorial Library

The Lancaster Public Library dates back to 1884, but it wasn’t until 1906 when John Wingate Weeks began construction of the beautiful building we see today, in memory of and named after his father, William D. Weeks. It opened to the public in 1908. And as the town grew so did the need for more books, so in 1999 they completed an expansion behind what you see here that tripled the size of the library.

Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ

Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ

The Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ is one of many landmarks along Main Street. This building dates back to around 1911 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1910, from which they salvaged the original stained glass and organ. Looking further back in history, the previous building was constructed in 1840, and the church, itself, the first in Lancaster, dates to 1794.

The Old County Courthouse

The old county courthouse in Lancaster

The old courthouse is a grand building constructed in 1887. It replaced the previous 1869 courthouse that was lost in a fire in 1886. Over time the county outgrew this old building and in 1995 they razed the old Lancaster Academy & High School and in its place began construction on a new county courthouse. The old courthouse still stands though it’s privately owned and home to a credit union and other businesses.   

Lancaster United States Post Office

The Lancaster Post Office

There’s something about post offices that draws my eye, especially when in an interesting building, and I quite like the one in Lancaster. It’s more recent than most of the other buildings mentioned, having been built in 1935. We drove by it on a stormy day and I chose to photograph it from within the car which resulted in the suspended rain droplets scattered across the photo. I like the look that creates.

Fuller’s Sugarhouse

Fuller’s Sugarhouse selling all things maple syrup

And finally, any trip to Lancaster, New Hampshire, wouldn’t be complete without a stop by Fuller’s Sugarhouse. A family-owned and operated business, they eventually grew enough to open a location on Main Street in 1998. They tap maple trees in the area and create several grades of maple syrup. Of course you can also find all kinds of other goodies in their store (maple syrup candy being a great one, loved those as a kid).

I hope you enjoyed this brief look at Lancaster, New Hampshire, both photographs of what it looks like as of June, 2025, as well as a little history of the town.

Have you ever visited Lancaster, New Hampshire, and if so what were your favorite parts of town?

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Beaver Brook Falls, New Hampshire /  by Todd Henson

Beaver Brook Falls, New Hampshire

My father and I were fortunate to visit Beaver Brook Falls State Wayside in Colebrook, New Hampshire, on a somewhat overcast and rainy day. All the recent rain resulted in a lot of water going over the approximately 80-foot Beaver Brook Falls. Granted, it also meant the water was perhaps a bit more brown than it usually would be because of the strong runoff. But it also resulted in more saturated greens from the wet leaves. It was a bit breezy so there was some movement of the leaves and flowers.

Beaver Brook Falls merging into North Fork Beaver Brook

The falls are on Beaver Brook and just below the falls the brook merges with North Fork Beaver Brook seen at the bottom of the photos flowing left to right. The water eventually flows into the Connecticut River in the town of Colebrook. The Connecticut River defines much of the border between New Hampshire and Vermont.

Floral accents at Beaver Brook Falls

One of the best things about this location is its accessibility. It’s located along Route 145 north of Colebrook with the parking area right along the road and the falls easily visible from the road. There is a small area of mowed grass with some picnic tables and wooden fencing between this area and the water. There are trails on both sides that lead over wooden walking bridges and take you to the falls.

Beaver Brook Falls State Wayside, New Hampshire

Signage at Beaver Brook Falls State Wayside, New Hampshire

I’ve only been to this location once so I don’t have a feel for how crowded it can get, but given how beautiful it is, how easily accessible, and how many folks travel to this area for vacationing and outdoor adventure, I’d guess it can get crowded. The parking area is very small so it can only accommodate so many people. We saw several cars of people arrive and leave while we were there but for some periods of time had the area to ourselves. The rainy day likely helped with this. This is certainly a location I’d visit again if ever back in the area. And I can only imagine how beautiful (and busy) it might be during autumn with all the colorful foliage New Hampshire is known for. 

Photographic Lessons Learned

As is often the case when reviewing my photographs I find things I would have done differently if I had the gift of hindsight in advance. And I find items I’m glad I thought to do. Here is a short list of lessons learned (or re-learned in most cases), as well as general comments based on my experience:

  • On rainy days, and when approaching strong waterfalls, don’t forget to check the front element of your lens or filter for water droplets, and carefully wipe them off when you find them. Do this OFTEN. It’s so easy to overlook these while looking at a small image on a viewfinder or LCD panel, but they become far more obvious when viewed on a larger screen or on paper, especially if you are using smaller apertures (larger f-stop numbers).

  • Even if you’re able to get slower shutter speeds just by adjusting your aperture (because it’s a darker day) it’s still worth the effort of trying a polarizing filter because it can reduce glare and reflections on both the water surface and that of the green leaves.

  • When it’s windy try to keep track of when the breeze is blowing and when there are short gaps with less wind. This can help you create images with less movement of leaves, flowers, etc.

  • I don’t recall which photographer I learned this lesson from but it’s a gem. When is the best time to make a vertical image? Immediately after making a horizontal one. That way you have both a vertical and horizontal view of that scene and can choose which you prefer for which usage.

  • If possible it can be worth it to create some images that include slightly more of the scene so you don’t crowd in too much around the edges. Granted, this isn’t always possible. There are images here where I’d have liked to include a little more of the trees above the falls, though without including the washed out white sky. But even at the widest focal length my lens was capable of, 16 mm, I was constrained by what I included at top and/or bottom. I’d have loved to have owned a wider angle lens for this scene. I sort of wish I’d thought to try my fisheye, see how that worked. Granted, it would have been more difficult to shield it from any rain because of the extreme curvature of the outer glass.

  • Don’t forget when using a tripod with a locked down head you should almost always assure you’ve turned off any vibration reduction or image stabilization feature in your lens. There may be cases with newer cameras/lenses where this isn’t necessary, but it often is as the VR/IS features can sometimes actually introduce vibration when on a locked down camera. Read your camera/lens manuals to better understand the capabilities and limitations of your own gear.

  • Don’t forget to create images of the wider scene to show more context of the location.

  • Don’t forget to zoom in and create some detail images to show the depth and variety of the location.

Can you think of any other lessons worth learning from this sort of experience? Have you ever visited Beaver Brook Falls in New Hampshire? Do you have any similar falls in your area? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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