Paddleford truss

Historic Stark Covered Bridge (New Hampshire) /  by Todd Henson

The Stark Covered Bridge with the beautiful forested mountains in the background, in Stark, New Hampshire.

The Stark Covered Bridge may be one of the best known covered bridges in New Hampshire. It’s become an iconic representation of the state, especially when paired with the Stark Union Church right beside the bridge, the Stark Inn Bed & Breakfast on the far side of the river, and the forested mountains and rocky cliffs in the background. This scene can be found on promotional materials all over the world. In fact, almost exactly a month after visiting Stark and photographing the bridge my father and I found a promotional picture showcasing this scene in the Strasburg Museum in Strasburg, Virginia (see further below).

The iconic view of the Stark Covered Bridge and Stark Union Church in New Hampshire.

A view of the full length of the Stark Covered Bridge in New Hampshire.

Facing the Stark Covered Bridge, built using a Paddleford truss design with various modifications over the years.

Walking through one of the two pedestrian walkways within the Stark Covered Bridge in New Hampshire.

There is some uncertainty as to exactly when the bridge was built. Some records claim 1857, others that it was built along with the church in 1853. According to the book, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire (see below), the town of Stark has settled on a date of 1862.

The Stark Covered Bridge was built using a Paddleford truss design and features a pedestrian walkway on both sides of the bridge. Interestingly it was originally built as a two-span bridge, spanning the Upper Ammonoosuc River. But in 1895 a flood tore the bridge from its supports and destroyed the center pier. Thankfully, the bridge remained largely intact and with much work was restored, but this time as a single-span bridge to hopefully avoid a similar occurrence in the future. But removing that center support required strengthening the bridge, so two arches were added inside the bridge to allow it to function as a single span.

The Stark Inn Bed & Breakfast and the Stark Covered Bridge in New Hampshire.

The Stark Union Church as seen from the Stark Covered Bridge in New Hampshire.

As can be seen in the photos, there is currently a center pier. It was determined in 1945 that the bridge was sagging and needed work. In 1948 they installed the new center pier to provide needed extra support. Later, in 1954, they continued work on the bridge, adding some steel beams inside to further strengthen the bridge and raise its load capacity. And as you can see in the photos, more repair work is needed. One of the photos shows what can happen when a vehicle that’s too tall for the bridge tries to pass through it anyway.

Visible damage to the Stark Covered Bridge in New Hampshire.

The Stark Covered Bridge is number 37 in the New Hampshire list of covered bridges. We visited this bridge on June 22nd, 2025. And on a more personal note, my grandfather was actually born in what is now the Stark Inn Bed & Breakfast, that building on the other side of the river from the church. Click here to see the list of covered bridges we visited while traveling through New Hampshire in mid-2025.

The Upper Ammonoosuc River in Stark, Virginia

A view of Stark, New Hampshire, on a promotional piece found in the Strasburg Museum in Virginia.

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 Mechanic Street Covered Bridge (Lancaster, New Hampshire) /  by Todd Henson

Mechanic Street Covered Bridge, Lancaster, New Hampshire

The town of Lancaster once had three covered bridges spanning the Israel River, which weaves its way through the town, but today only one of those remains, the Mechanic Street Covered Bridge. It was originally built in 1862, the same year the Main Street Covered Bridge was built, which garnered much more attention as it was apparently a grand covered bridge.

Driving inside the Mechanic Street Covered Bridge in Lancaster, New Hampshire

The Mechanic Street Covered Bridge is an example of a Paddleford truss structure, and is a single-span bridge of 94 feet. Its iconic red color stands out as you drive up Mechanic Street from either direction, and there’s a small but nice park with a bench along Pleasant Street and the banks of the Israel River.

A view of the Mechanic Street Covered Bridge from Pleasant Street in Lancaster, New Hampshire

There have been two major renovations to the bridge. In 1962, just after the bridge’s 100th anniversary, an oversized dump truck plowed into the entrance of the bridge. A sign at the bridge says that same year was the first major renovation, though the book, Covered Bridges of New Hampshire (see below), says records indicate the renovation occurred in 1967. Both the sign and the book agree that the second major renovation occurred in 2006.

An angled view of the single-span Mechanic Street Covered Bridge in Lancaster, New Hampshire

The Mechanic Street Covered Bridge is number 31 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.

Viewing the Mechanic Street Covered bridge from the Israel River

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.

Do you enjoy these posts?

Sign up to receive periodic emails with updates and thoughts. Don’t worry, I won’t spam you. And please consider purchasing artwork or products from my online store, and using my affiliate links in the sidebar to the right when shopping online.

I appreciate your support!

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

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.

Facing the Swiftwater Covered Bridge

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.

Pools and waterfalls create “The Big Eddy,” a popular local swimming hole at the Swiftwater Covered Bridge

Swimming below the Swiftwater Covered Bridge in Bath, New Hampshire

The Swiftwater Covered Bridge is number 29 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.

Downstream of the Swiftwater Covered Bridge are the rapids of the Wild Ammonoosuc River

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.

Do you enjoy these posts?

Sign up to receive periodic emails with updates and thoughts. Don’t worry, I won’t spam you. And please consider purchasing artwork or products from my online store, and using my affiliate links in the sidebar to the right when shopping online.

I appreciate your support!