Rowell's Covered Bridge

Rowell's Covered Bridge in West Hopkinton, New Hampshire, carries Rowell Bridge Road over the Contoocook River at a crossing used since at least 1793. The present bridge, completed in 1853 after flooding destroyed an 1845 predecessor, was built by Horace Childs and named for early resident Abram or Abraham Rowell. One of New Hampshire's few surviving 19th-century covered bridges, it uses a modified Long truss derived from Stephen H. Long's patented system, with distinctive timber arches built into the framework. A failed 20th-century strengthening attempt added a central pier later reduced, and a major 1965 restoration helped preserve the bridge largely in its original form.

Contoocook, New Hampshire · United States