Covered Bridges of New Hampshire
Waterloo Bridge, New Hampshire
These little roadside gems are tucked throughout the New England landscape. Symbols of the past still standing strong for all to admire.
Bartlett Bridge, Bartlett New Hampshire
The following article was penned by me, as featured in New Hampshire To Do magazine (www.nhtodo.com)
New Hampshire's covered bridges are beautiful roadside visions. Rich with
history, they serve as a reminder of the strength and resourcefulness of those
who built this great land.
Although renowned for their visual appeal and historical merit, most folks usually limit their appreciation to a few quick photographs on their way to other places. This being NH to Do I hoped to blend modern activities with historical Covered Bridges. I had to figure out, exactly, "What is there to do in a Covered Bridge?"
So get ready, you are soon to become a New Hampshire's covered bridge activity aficionado.
The art of 'Collecting'
Probably the most common covered bridge activity is the art of "collecting." Haven't heard of it? You will. With the right publicity it may be the next Macarena. "Collecting" is a personal quest to visit as many covered bridges as possible One can only guess how a collector relates their experiences to friends and family, my guess is via many, many photographs over a box of wine.
Spooning
To Spoon: to make love by caressing, kissing, and talking amorously.
Back in the day, when morals were a bit, let's say, "tighter," public displays of affection were taboo. Couples, if indeed they had the courage (and inability to refrain from pawing at one another) would seek out the seclusion of a darkened covered bridge. Hence the nickname, 'kissing bridges.' Sounds romantic, right? Unexpected approaches by parents, priests or other townsfolk were easily caught before becoming an embarrassing predicament. Couples would 'unspoon' and pretend to be slowly walking together, most likely to church or some other institution of wholesomeness to better their minds and bodies, and keep them from the temptations of the flesh. It was also common for lovers to steal kisses in the backs of buggies as they passed through the darkness of the bridge, the slower the horses (and the longer the bridge) the better. Apparently, drive-in movies weren't yet available. As a result of these questionable extracurricular activities, covered bridges actually received public condemnation by concerned local ministers.
Remember that the primary purpose of these bridges was to transport hay, lumber, and other goods by carriage. The stage for romance must have smelled of wood shavings, ammonia, hay and horse manure. How romantic!
However, don't let this discourage you, most modern bridges are pleasantly preserved, lie in picturesque settings, and no longer used to transport odiferous cargo. A casual smooch would hardly catch attention these days so pretend it's 1850; grab a picnic lunch, a bottle of wine, your favorite partner, and spoon away!
Care for a drink?
Aside from the aforementioned glass of wine, alcohol also plays a role in the history of these bridges. The catch: drinking wasn't performed by bridge admirers, but by the bridge builders! It seems spirits were an integral part of the bridge building process, especially during the harsh, New Hampshire winters. In many of the old building contracts, funds were allocated to provide every worker with a daily 'gill' of rum. I'm not sure what a gill is, but I can guarantee it's no thimbleful.
Though in the words of one bridge builder, alcohol consumption during construction was of little concern: "Although liquor was handed in great abundance, there were but two persons in that entire time that were in the least intoxicated".
I'm not sure if that's a per bridge or per day realization, leading me to wonder what the criteria for 'intoxication' may have been. This does, however, alleviate my concerns of similar rumors surrounding Boston's Big Dig. Some things never change.
The age of innocence
Children are known for finding creative activities to entertain themselves, and covered bridges provided ample opportunity. Often referring to them as 'wishing bridges' they would hold their breath while crossing. If they made it, they would be granted a single wish.
Children often leap from covered bridges on sweltering summer days, a practice still exercised to this day. The Mill Bridge in Meriden is home to an amazing secret swimming hole. Cross the bridge and follow the narrow rocky trial to reach swimming paradise: Swinging ropes, waterfalls, and a deep, deep swimming hole - all with a great view of the bridge above.
Children also love to spend lazy summer days, fishing rod in hand, waiting patiently for the big one. I have to admit, I do too. The Kissing Bride in Jackson a personal favorite.
Also For fun, kids would climb up onto the peaked roofs, lay
on their sides, and roll horizontally down the roof. At the very last moment
sitting up and swinging their legs over the eaves. A thrilling activity, but
I don't suggest you try it. Kids bounce, adults don't.
Music in the air
On a recent visit to the Henniker Bridge, I was surprised to hear the percussive
sounds of cymbals and xylophones reverberating off the timber frame and into
the open air. The musicians turned out to be the Boston Crusaders Drum and
Bugle Corps who were playing to kill some time while transporting their instruments
to practice, using the bridge as a pleasant diversion.
My bridge, my home
New Hampshire also boasts one of the only bridge 'homes.' Some time ago a
bridge near Swetts Mills was condemned. Rather than face destruction, the
bridge was physically relocated to a nearby hill, and turned into a private
summer residence. It was later featured on Ripley's Believe it or not.
And Shopping too
For those of you who were born to shop, you're in luck. The Bartlett Covered
Bridge in the White Mountains is the only privately owned covered bridge complete
with its' own gift shop. This restored circa 1850 bridge is chock full of
New Hampshire and covered bridge memorabilia, serving as a fine example of
capitalism and preservation working together.
Mine! Mine! Mine!
If you're just not satisfied by the status quo, ownership is for you This
honor is not only reserved only for the most devoted (and wealthy) covered
bridge fans. There are two avenues available for ownership. First, and more
sensibly, you can adopt a bridge; for as little as a dollar you can adopt
sections of a covered bridge - a creative way to fund bridge restoration efforts.
Second, you can shell out the serious dough and have one built in your own
backyard. Probably not an option until after the recession, right?
The town crier
Covered bridges were the billboards of the past. Advertisements for products,
events, and town meetings were posted inside to stay dry and clearly visible
to passerby. The walls boasted such treats as "Kickapoo Indian Oil: Blood
Stomach and Kidney Regulator" (Likely used by bridgebuilders to counteract
the effects of too many 'gills' of alcohol). Nowadays, you can relate by reading
the words carved into the wood by poets, lovers, and dreamers. Not quite the
same, but you'd be surprised.
For example, the Henniker Bridge has an interesting bit of secret lore. If one looks carefully on one of the main beams they may find the word "JUMP" etched in large block letters. This designates the safest point for leaping off the bridge into waters below. Though strictly forbidden, it's a fun piece of history.
This leads me to my next section, covered bridge to do's that are not recommended. Kids, don't try these at home.
Graffiti
See above. We have enough so enjoy what's there.
I think I can, I think I can
There once was a covered railroad bridge near Lebanon that was built on a curve, the curvature maintained by a series of heavy iron rods. A group of boys decided that it would be great fun to straighten the bridge by loosening them. This may have been fun to them, but not to the train that was approaching the now straightened bridge. The engine barely made it through the opposite side before the bridge cracked in half, derailing the train, and destroying the bridge. Rather than repair it, locals set it on fire and rebuilt a temporary structure in just 11 hours. I can only imagine what happened to those boys. My guess is they were used as the foundation for the temporary structure, and are probably still there to this day.
If I can't have it, no one can
The most repulsive of all 'bad' bridge activities, and ironically a more modern pastime, was once popular in New Hampshire: arson. In 1993 New Hampshire found herself in the eye of major media attention when 3 bridges statewide were destroyed by the hands of an arsonist(s). It is unclear if the perpetrator was ever caught, or the motives behind these thoughtless and selfish acts. I hope they're happy, and I hope preservationists ensure these structures are rebuilt stronger than ever.
So Get out and do
Now that you know all the things to be done (and not to be done) in the covered bridges of New Hampshire, I suggest you get out and start 'doing.' Hop in your car, and take a trip to visit some of these covered treasures, and this time, don't just photograph, actually do. Partake of some of these activities, but don't linger too long - the bridge you may be standing on could have been built by one (or both) of the intoxicated builders!
