The Swift River Bridge, built in 1870, replaced an earlier bridge that had a most interesting demise. The first bridge was built by John Douglass in 1850. In 1869, heavy rain caused the river to rise lifting the bridge off of its foundation. The current turned the bridge and sent it downstream.
Unfortunately, the Saco River Bridge is only a short distance downstream from this bridge. The Swift River Bridge careened downstream crashing into the Saco River Bridge, knocking it off its abutment. Both bridges broke up in the current and came to rest two miles downstream.
People in New Hampshire are a frugal bunch. They salvaged the broken-up pieces of wood and used them in re building this bridge. The new bridge was built by Jacob Berry and his son Jacob. Standing on the riverbank directly below this bridge, one can see the Swift River Bridge to one side and the Saco River Bridge on the other.
I Love how they are taken care of…even when not for vehicles any more. Another great picnic spot!
Have a wonderful day Chris!
Thank you, Nancy. I think people see having a covered bridge in their community as a source of pride and try to maintain it. This one even has Christmas lights on it. I may need to return in December.
ahhh, i love the first photo with benches on it. i could see myself seated there, reading and writing…so beautiful
Thank you. I agree. It would be a great place to relax and spend some time.
Great photos and interesting contextual information! I feel a road trip coming on . . .
Yes, this is right over the Kancamagus Highway. You can do three bridges all within a few minutes of each other.
I’m looking forward to making a plan with my husband to visit all of them.
Great idea to add some picnic benches. Also a fine way to wait out a summer shower when on a walk. 🙂
I thiought the same thing. I wish I had found something like this when I’d been caught in the rain while cycling.
Tough timber in those days!
Yes, most definitely.
great pictures.. loved the picnic tables.. now I want to hop in the car and find just such a quiet spot to enjoy!!!
Thank you. I hope you find your quiet spot today.
Ahhhh. Serenity while resting. 🌿💦
Yes!
So creative. The photo with benches is special.
Thank you. I agree. They’ve created a special space here.
I love the idea of the benches, so creative!
I think this bridge has the most fascinating history yet. Those green picnic benches just say ‘calm’ don’t they?
This looks like such a serene and peaceful place to be 💫✨
Great observation, Hannah. It’s exactly that. Have a great day.
Thank you and you too 😊
It’s gorgeous! Love the rustic vibes.
Thank you, Christy.
I love the story of salvaging the bridges. And those green picnic tables 😍
The picnic tables are great idea. Thank you. I’m sure it would have been a lot of cost and labor to get new wood for the bridges. Salvaging when they could was a good idea, though I’m sure it was also a lot of work to gatehr it and haul it upstream.
It’s fascinating, the concept of a covered bridge sounds straight forward. But the execution and design is unique each time it sounds. I wonder if that was intentional or if it just worked out that way. I love these picture stories Chris. Thank you!
Thank you, Sandra. I think this was a time when things were not built as uniformly and building codes didn’t exist. There were certainly different styles of bridges, but it was not quite as engineered as it is today.
Great venue for a picnic 🙂
Yes! It would be great for a picnic.
Wonderful and beautiful images Chris ☘️
Thank you so much, Sohair.
Welcome
A bridge with benches? Now that’s unique! Great find 🙂
It is unique. I think it’s a great idea.
I think it’s rather cool that they used the wood for rebuilding!! Beautiful shots, as always!
We New Englanders are thrifty.