Hemlock Covered Bridge - Fryeburg, Maine

The Hemlock Covered Bridge is a covered bridge just east of Fryeburg, Maine, near the western shore of Kezar Lake. Built in 1857 and rehabilitated in 1998, the 136 foot long covered bridge spans over the Old Course Saco River, which was an old channel of the Saco River that was bypassed by local farmers with the help of oxen and hand tools in the year 1820. The Hemlock Covered Bridge is the last remaining covered bridge of seven such bridges built in Fryeburg.

Constructed with a Paddleford through truss design, the Hemlock Covered Bridge is the oldest such example of a Paddleford truss system used for a covered bridge in Maine. As the bridge was built on what had been a floodplain, the bridge rests upon granite abutments about 15 feet above the river bed. Today, you can drive to the bridge on Hemlock Bridge Road, or walk across the bridge and view the inside of the bridge with its beams and planks. Or if you are the intrepid sort, you can paddle to the covered bridge. Whichever your mode of transportation, the Hemlock Covered Bridge is great to visit.

Inside the covered bridge.

West portal of the covered bridge.

A serene view of the covered bridge.

East portal of the Hemlock Covered Bridge.

The Hemlock Covered Bridge is a Maine historic civil engineering landmark.

Paddling on the Old Course Saco River. Maybe they are canoeing so they can see the bridge.

A parting shot of the Hemlock Covered Bridge on a fine summer day.

How to Get There:

Sources and Links:
MaineDOT - Hemlock Bridge, Fryeburg, Maine
Bridgehunter.com - Hemlock Covered Bridge 19-09-02
Inspirock - Hemlock Covered Bridge, Fryeburg
Wondermyway - Frog Alley

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