Swiftwater Covered Bridge, Historic covered bridge in Bath, New Hampshire.
Swiftwater Covered Bridge is a historic wooden structure that crosses the Wild Ammonoosuc River in Bath. The bridge features vertical timber siding and a metal roof, with granite abutments supporting its span across the water.
The bridge was built in 1849 to replace three earlier structures destroyed by repeated flooding at this river crossing. The recurring destruction from 1810 to 1828 demonstrated the challenges of maintaining infrastructure along the Wild Ammonoosuc.
The bridge represents the engineering methods of early American builders, showcasing the Paddleford truss design that characterized 19th-century New England construction techniques.
You can reach the bridge from Valley Road and walk across it to view the structure up close. The crossing is straightforward and the setting offers a good spot to examine the construction details and surrounding landscape.
The bridge features a distinctive architectural detail that sets it apart: vertical timber planking does not extend to the full height under the roof, leaving an open strip along the sides. This gap is a signature element of its original design.
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