Bath, One dollar fine to drive any team faster than a walk on this bridge. 1832
I’ve posted about Bath, New Hampshire before, but it came to mind with today’s challenge – muse.
My grandparents’ small dairy farm was 4.6 miles from Bath so I traveled by and through it too many times to count on my childhood summers on the farm.
Today, I’m always in awe to think I’m standing on a 374′ 6″ bridge spanning the Ammonoosuc River that was originally constructed in 1832 for $2,900.
This bridge is the fifth structure to stand on this site. The first one was constructed in 1794 for $366.66 and was destroyed by flood waters as were the second and third replacement bridges. The fourth bridge was lost to a fire.
When I get up north to the White Mountains, the trip just isn’t complete if I don’t get to visit the covered bridge. My husband doesn’t get my attachment, but he patiently waits for me.
I walk a ways, lean on the wood rails, watch the river flow beneath and contemplate the families and the traffic that have crossed over this river under the safety of this covered bridge for over 220 years.
American history – I love it. 🙂
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Muse.”
Love covered bridges!
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I love covered bridges. We have one down the street. It is no longer in use, but it’s beautiful.
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They are wonderful aren’t they. 🙂
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Covered bridges are iconic in my impression of New England.
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The covered bridges are a delightful part of New England history. I’m like you, I love them.
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Hope things are going well for you both here in the North and there in the south. 🙂
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I totally get it! If that bridge were in my life I would have to visit it every chance I got and I would have to walk out and stare down at the water. Silly husbands!
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I also totally get it… A covered bridge is a beautiful sight.
And when I go to my lake house… I have to walk the whole road up and down the lake… every time I visit!
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What wonderful memories. I love covered bridges and I’m pretty sure we visited this on on a trip to New England in 2004. Love the i tires.
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This is quite the amazing covered bridge!
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Wonderful to have a structure with so much history. Love the sign.
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Oh my goodness, that bridge is older than my state. I’ve never seen a bridge quite like that—the construction is amazing!
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Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Love those shots! Such a beautiful bridge. And the photograph taken inside looking through to the outside is especially effective. I can feel what it’s like in there: old, cooling, timeless, and sturdy. And it’s in such good shape. Lovely work (yours and the bridge’s)
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That is a very long bridge! The cost of repairing them is astronomical these days. We have one down the road that was built in 1869 and the reno. cost a few years ago was over a million dollars! Grant money was the only way it got done.
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You are so right and this one was refurbished in 2014. I will say that if ‘we the people’ are going to be required to pay for those long lists of ridiculous projects that come out of WA, I think grant money to preserve pieces of our history like your bridge and mine is a good investment. 🙂
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Agreed! It is nice to be able to rumble across a wooden bridge every day. 🙂
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Before I moved south I lived in Pennsylvania and we had several covered bridges near my home. I agree they’re wonderful and pretty awe-inspiring! Hadn’t thought of them in a long time, thanks for the reminder!
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I love how you live in an area where “built in 1794” is just part of every day life! The people who crossed that first bridge gazed down at the exact same spot you do now, and I share your interest in wondering how they looked, what they wore and who they were!
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Happy Fourth of July!!!
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