Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge, bridge in New Hampshire, United States of America
The Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge is a road bridge in New Hampshire that crosses the Ashuelot River using large stones carefully fitted into a smooth arch. The stones are placed without mortar and form a structure that rises more than 40 feet (12 m) above the riverbed with a main span of about 48 feet (15 m).
The bridge was built around 1863 and replaced an earlier structure that collapsed shortly after completion. It was designed by William Leonard Kingsbury, a local official, though the names of the builders were lost when a fire destroyed the town records. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
This stone arch bridge is part of local tradition in Gilsum, showing how people once relied on natural materials and simple tools to build structures that lasted generations. Many locals and visitors feel connected to the place, seeing it as a link between past and present in the community.
The best way to visit is to park nearby and walk along the quiet rural roads to observe the bridge up close. The structure is still in active use by traffic, so cross carefully and take time to examine the stonework and enjoy the river view below from a safe vantage point.
The names of the original builders are forever lost because a town fire destroyed all historical records, making this an anonymous achievement whose craftsmanship remains visible in every carefully placed stone. The fact that it sits on a site where four earlier bridges once stood underscores how crucial this crossing was to the area.
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