Honeymoon Bridge (Jackson, NH)
Honeymoon Bridge in 2001
Coordinates44°8′30″N 71°11′11″W / 44.14167°N 71.18639°W / 44.14167; -71.18639
CarriesVillage Street
CrossesEllis River
LocaleJackson, New Hampshire
Maintained byNH DOT
Characteristics
DesignWooden Paddleford Burr Truss
Total length121 ft (37 m)
Width26.5 ft (8.1 m)
No. of spansOne (121 ft (37 m))
History
DesignerCharles Austin Broughton and his son Frank
Construction startUnknown
Construction end1876
Opened1876
Statistics
TollNone
Location

Honeymoon Bridge (also known as Covered Bridge No. 51) is a wooden covered bridge over the Ellis River in Jackson, New Hampshire, United States.

History

In 1873, town residents debated whether to build and/or repair at least two bridges that crossed the Wildcat River.[1] Honeymoon Bridge was built in 1876, just south of the confluence of the Wildcat with the Ellis River, by Charles Austin Broughton and his son Frank. The Broughton family owned a dairy farm on the east side of the Saco River. Serving in the Civil War, Charles had carpentry skills needed to do the work. In 1899, the town of Jackson paid the Goodrich Falls Electric Company to illuminate the bridge. The sidewalk on the side of the bridge was added in 1930 according to town records, and improvements were done in 1965 to improve visibility and provide parking.[2] In 2001 the bridge received a US$64,000 grant that provided for the installation of a fire protection system that included sprinklers, among other things. Further rehabilitation of the bridge was completed three years later.[3][4] Today, Honeymoon Bridge is an often-photographed tourist attraction.[5]

Honeymoon Bridge is one of 20 examples of the Paddleford truss design.[1] The bridge was nicknamed "Honeymoon" bridge from the tradition of lovers kissing under it for good luck. The name dates to at least 1936, with bridge historian Adelbert M. Jakeman possibly giving the bridge its nickname.[1][6] Honeymoon Bridge is designated as Covered Bridge 51 by the state.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Brown, Mark M. (August 2003). "Honeymoon Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "HONEYMOON BRIDGE Jackson, New Hampshire". www.nh.gov. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  3. ↑ Evens, Benjamin D. & June R. (2012-08-14). New England's Covered Bridges: A Complete Guide. University Press of New England. pp. 88–89. ISBN 978-1584653202. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  4. ↑ "Once a year you can dance on the covered bridge in Jackson". www.innatellisriver.com. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  5. ↑ "Covered bridges". www.conwaydailysun.com. 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  6. ↑ "Covered Bridges Circuit". www.innatellisriver.com. Retrieved 2014-12-04.


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