The Covered Bridges of the Monadnock Region

“The American covered bridge has inspired more poets and painters than has perhaps any other familiar object of our native landscapes.” — David Steinman, author of Bridges and Their Builders, 1941.

Covered bridges are a symbol of America’s simpler times. They are picturesque, inspirational and even romantic. While they are viewed today as quaint throwback to a bygone era, these wood bridges were originally designed with an intense Yankee-like practicality in mind.

Without a covering, a wood bridge exposed to the elements would last only 15 to 20 years. That common sense approach to cover wooden bridges has paid off: Some covered bridges have lived on into the 21st century – thanks in part to a Federal program to help restore many of the still-standing covered bridges that were on the brink of collapse after decades of neglect.

While there were more than 10,000 covered bridges in the U.S. in the 19th century, there are still about 750 still standing – and functional. Fifty-four of those covered bridges are in the state of New Hampshire; of those 7 are in the Monadnock Region.

Here is a glimpse of these Monadnock Region covered bridges (they are state numbered). Note that these bridges are not only pretty to look at, but today serve as functional bridges over rivers and streams. When you drive through a covered bridge, slow down and take the time to look at the engineering marvel of its protecting roof, with criss-crossed braces extending from the top to the bottom.

Ashuelot Covered Bridge (NH #1)
Winchester, NH
Built in 1858, renovated in 1999
This bridge is considered by local historians to be one of New Hampshire’s most elaborate covered bridges. It originally was built to transport wood across the Ashuelot River for use by the Ashuelot Railroad. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Coombs Covered Bridge (NH #2)
Winchester, NH
Built 1837, renovated in 1971
The bridge, which spans the Ashuelot River, was named for its original builder and owner, Anthony Coombs. It was used for social and commercial purposes; and it is still used today. It listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Slate Covered Bridge (NH #4)
Swanzey, NH
Built 1862, rebuilt 2001
The bridge was named for the Slate family, who lived nearby. The bridge suffered many mishaps in its history including collapsing under a team of oxen in 1842, damage from a snowplow in 1987 and a fire in 1993. The bridge was rebuilt in 2001 for $900,000.

Carlton Covered Bridge (NH #7)
Swanzey, NH
Built in 1789, rebuilt 1869 and 1996
The records say that the original bridge was built at a cost of “15 pounds.” According to local lore, the bridge was put up by barn builders because the truss construction is so similar to that used in barns. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thompson Covered Bridge (NH #5)
Also known as the West Swanzey Bridge
West Swanzey, NH
Built in 1832, rebuilt 1976
In 1973 it was posted for 6 ton limit, just enough for an empty school bus. When school buses were filled, drivers simply asked students to get off the bus, walk the bridge, and re-board on the other side. In 1976 a new concrete and steel bridge was built nearby for buses and trucks. This bridge, now posted at a 3-ton limit, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sawyer’s Crossing Covered Bridge (NH #6)
Also called “Cresson Covered Bridge”
Swanzey, NH
Before 1771, reconstructed in 1859 and 1996
When the bridge was renovated in 1859 town folks celebrated in a big way: with lanterns hung from the rafters, a four-piece orchestra, lunch at midnight and dancing through night. The bridge also became famous in 1953 when its image was used in a Chesterfield cigarette Christmas carton. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

County Covered Bridge (NH #8)
Hancock and Greenfield, NH
Built 1832, rebuilt in 1937, renovated 1981
A flood swept away the original bridge in March of 1936. The bridge was rebuilt using funds from the Federal Emergency Relief Administration project. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Horatio Colony Preserve: City-Limits Hike with Great Views

Many of us who live in Keene deeply appreciate the unique experience of living in a city ringed by pristine woodlands. Even more unusual is the fact that you don’t even need to travel outside of city limits to take a hike on forested land.

If you are visiting Keene take a side trip to the Horatio Colony Nature Preserve, a 614-acre parcel of woodlands and wetlands located off Route 9 in Keene on Daniels Hill Road – only a stone’s throw from the Monadnock Marketplace.

The land -- owned by the Horatio Colony Trust and maintained by Antioch University New England graduate students -- includes 3.5 miles of hiking trails up a moderately steep hill, a historic cabin and old foundations. The land also serves as a natural laboratory for place-based education, nature research and public program initiatives.

The land was purchased in 1892 by author Horatio Colony II’s grandfather, Horatio Colony I, a successful mill owner in Keene, who bought 132 acres of abandoned sheep pastures of Pisgah Farm, on West Hill in Keene. Colony and his family enjoyed the land so much he subsequently purchased adjacent tracks of land over the years.

The Colony family, who lived on Main Street in Keene (now the Horatio Colony House Museum), built a summer cabin on the north slope of the West Hill property and dubbed it the “Tip-Top House.”  The younger Horatio, after he inherited the property, allowed the forest to regenerate and built a writing cabin in 1938, which has been restored and still stands at the entry point to the nature preserve.

The preserve maintains three trails: Red Diamond (1.1 mile loop), Ridgeline (1.7 miles) and Slickenside Trails (.7 miles); there are 21 signposts marking environmental and historical points of interest. The preserve is open every day, from dawn to dusk, for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Hunting, mountain biking, camping, fires and motor vehicles are prohibited. There is a free trail guide available at the kiosk near the trailhead.

If you visit the Horatio Colony Preserve, don’t miss the clearing on the west side of the Ridgeline Trail that presents a nice view of West Keene, and the foundation of the long-gone Tip-Top House.

Leaf Peeping: An Epic Year?

Although New Englanders would like visitors to believe that each and every one of our leaf peeping seasons is a sight to behold, some foliage seasons (we quietly admit amongst ourselves) are better than others.

Last year was nothing to write home about. The colors were there (yes, still beautiful), but dominated by muted oranges and yellows. What we all wish for – and what characterizes a “spectacular” foliage season -- is the eye-popping “pow” of the reds.

What magical combination of weather events make this happen?

Colors from 2012

Yankee magazine meteorologist Jim Salge sheds some light on the best conditions for a great foliage season. In his blog post he writes:

“We know that the best years are made possible by a warm, reasonably wet spring, a moderate summer with adequate rainfall and an autumn season that features a dominance of warm, dry days and cool nights, with only occasional rainfall.”

So far, so good. And looking out our windows we can see that the result of this year’s magical weather formula is already turning many trees blazing red.

It may shaking out to be an epic foliage year in New England. Don’t miss it.

If you are in the Monadnock Region in this magical time of year, you may want to stop by Peterborough’s “Peak into Peterborough” at the height of the peeping season on October 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spend the Saturday with your family browsing the town’s unique shops, restaurants and galleries. The town itself will welcome visitors with tent sales, a farmers’ market, hayrides, lives music and more.