Historic Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge (New Hampshire) / September 16, 2025 by Todd Henson

Viewing the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge — The Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge

The signs above the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge in New Hampshire show the year 1827, which is the year the bridge was planned. It wasn’t actually completed until 1829. Even so, it is the oldest covered bridge in New Hampshire and one of the oldest in North America. Unlike many other covered bridges, it’s the first and only bridge at this location, as stated on a sign inside the bridge.

A wide angle stitched panoramic photo of the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge as seen from the Raymond S. Burton Bridge. — The Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge as seen from the Raymond S. Burton Bridge. In this wide view I wanted to include as much as possible so I stitched multiple wide angle photos into this panoramic image and there is a little distortion with the bridge appearing bowed in the middle, which it is not.

A view of the two-span Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge in New Hampshire — A view of the two-span Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge

A view of the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge and the hydroelectric dam from the rocks and river below — A path leads down to the rocks and the river with the dam and hydroelectric plant on the Woodsville side

The Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge is a two-span Town lattice truss, following the patent of Ithiel Town. It is the oldest Town lattice truss still in existence. It spans the Ammonoosuc River (Abenaki for “small, narrow fishing place”) just before that river flows into the Connecticut River at the village of Woodsville, part of the town of Haverhill, with the town of Bath on the other side of the Ammonoosuc.

Facing the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge, about to walk back across to the parking lot a little ways beyond

Looking at the lattice structure inside the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge — Walking through the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge showing some of the lattice structure inside

A view of the arches providing extra support in side the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge — Another view inside the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge, showing the arches installed for extra support

A view from inside the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge looking outside — Looking out from the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge at the calm Ammonoosuc River above the dam

An interior view inside the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge showing the Town lattice truss and arch support structures — An interior detail view of some of the support structures showing both Town lattice truss and arches

The passing of time can be hard on wooden covered bridges, especially when they were only designed to carry the weight of a horse and buggy. Instead of replacing the bridge the two towns decided to reinforce it, adding arches between 1921-1922. They also added the pedestrian sidewalk, which I quite like as it completely separates pedestrians from automotive traffic. But by 1999 it was time to completely remove automotive traffic from the bridge, so the nearby Raymond S. Burton Bridge was constructed. Thankfully, the towns have continued to maintain the covered bridge and still allow pedestrians to cross, enjoying this piece of local history.

Looking inside the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge at the pedestrian sidewalk — The pedestrian sidewalk inside the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge

A view of both the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge and the Raymond S. Burton Bridge — Two bridges, the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge in the foreground and the Raymond S. Burton Bridge in the background.

A walk across the Raymond S. Burton Bridge with a small view of the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge — Walking over the Raymond S. Burton Bridge with the Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge just visible on the right.

The Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge is number 27 in the New Hampshire list of covered bridges. We visited this bridge on June 19th and 25th, 2025. Click here to see the list of covered bridges we visited while traveling through New Hampshire in mid-2025.

Resources

Most of the details within this post were learned either from signs at the bridge 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 our 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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Historic Bath Village Covered Bridge (New Hampshire) / September 9, 2025 by Todd Henson

Facing the Bath Covered Bridge from the village of Bath, New Hampshire — Facing the Bath Covered Bridge from the village of Bath

According to a sign at the bridge, the Bath Village Covered Bridge was built in 1832 and is the longest covered bridge in New Hampshire and one of the oldest in America. It ties the West Swanzey Bridge, also built in 1832, as the 2nd oldest covered bridges in New Hampshire. It has a unique 4-span design. The sign at the bridge states it’s an outstanding example of a Burr-Arch structure, but the book, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire (see below), says it doesn’t fully follow this design and is difficult to classify.

The Bath Covered Bridge in the Village of Bath, New Hampshire — The Bath Covered Bridge. “One dollar fine to drive any team faster than a walk on this bridge.”

A view of the side of the Bath Covered Bridge and rapids on the Ammonoosuc River — Rapids on the Ammonoosuc River just below the Bath Covered Bridge

Much has changed throughout the years, though the bridge has remained. In 1832 a rail line was built under it. This required some modifications, including raising it by a couple feet many years later, though this didn’t stop it from being hit by an over-height train in the late 1970’s. In 1893 the hydroelectric dam was built to generate electricity from the flow of the Ammonoosuc River.

Driving through the Bath Covered Bridge. Check out the unusual different sized arches acting as supports.

The other side of the Bath Covered Bridge, facing the village.

As old as it is, the bridge is actually the fifth at this location, with the first having been built in 1793. But one bridge after another was destroyed, leaving us with the 5th incarnation from 1832, which thankfully has been maintained and is still in active use. It’s interesting to note the differences in cost over time. The bridge cost $3300 to build in 1832 but by 2009 it cost just under $3 million to repair it.

Looking through the trees at the Bath Covered Bridge

Bath Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge in New Hampshire, as seen from this view on a trail leading to a road under the bridge.

The Bath Covered Bridge is number 28 in the New Hampshire list of covered bridges. We visited this bridge on June 19th, 2025. Click here to see the list of covered bridges we visited while traveling through New Hampshire in mid-2025.

Bath Covered Bridge, Bath, and rapids on the Ammonoosuc River

Resources

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Historic Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge (New Hampshire)

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Historic Swiftwater Covered Bridge (Bath, New Hampshire) / September 2, 2025 by Todd Henson

The Swiftwater Covered Bridge in Bath, New Hampshire — Swiftwater Covered Bridge in Bath, New Hampshire

The Swiftwater Covered Bridge was constructed in 1849 and according to a sign at the bridge is one of only 20 remaining Paddleford truss covered bridges in the world. Earlier bridges at this location date back to 1810, and this particular bridge has quite a history. It was originally built as a two-span bridge but at some point the center pier was destroyed. Instead of replacing the pier two laminated arches were installed to provide added support. Over the years the bridge deteriorated and around 1988 a new center pier was installed to help support the bridge until a full rehabilitation could be performed, which didn’t occur until 1998-1999. At that point the laminated arches were removed and the bridge was restored to its original design while trying to remain as historically accurate as possible.

A side view of the Swiftwater Covered Bridge in Bath, New Hampshire — A side view of the Swiftwater Covered Bridge

The bridge continues to support vehicular traffic, allowing it to pass over the Wild Ammonoosuc River. The name Swiftwater comes from the nearby village of Swiftwater (part of the town of Bath), which itself was named for the waterfalls just below the bridge. Just below is also a popular local swimming hole called “Big Eddy,” as can be seen in several of these photos.