Skip to main content

Prentiss Covered Bridge - Langdon, New Hampshire


The Prentiss Covered Bridge in Langdon, New Hampshire is the shortest historic covered bridge in the State of New Hampshire. Crossing the Great Brook, the 35 foot long through truss designed covered bridge was built in 1874 by Albert Granger, the Prentiss Covered Bridge is also known as the Drewsville Covered Bridge, named for a community located south of the bridge. It served the community until the bridge was bypassed in 1954, and now the bridge serves foot traffic for quiet reflection only. The bridge was restored between 1995 and 2001 for Langdon's bicentennial celebration, and then the bridge was rededicated in 2002. There is also a bench located near the bridge, which was placed at the bridge around the time of rededication.  The bridge was posted to the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 1973.

The third bridge at this site, the Prentiss Covered Bridge was built for $1,000 with funds that were raised by the town. The date of the first bridge is unknown, but the second bridge was built in December 1791 at the cost of six pounds on land that had been cleared and settled by John Prentiss in 1785. In 1805, the Cheshire Turnpike Company took over the bridge as part of the turnpike from Canada to Boston, and indeed the road that parallels the bridge today is a successor road called the Cheshire Turnpike. 

Side profile of the Prentiss Covered Bridge.

Bridge portal.

There is a small piece of the old road that remains on the walk back to the Cheshire Turnpike, plus parking on the side of the road for a car.

Great Brook.

The Prentiss Covered Bridge is New Hampshire Covered Bridge #19 in New Hampshire's inventory of covered bridges.

One parting shot of the covered bridge.


How to Get There:



Sources and Links:
New Hampshire Covered Bridges - Prentiss Bridge
NHTourGuide.com - Prentiss Covered Bridge Langdon NH
Bridgehunter.com - Prentiss Covered Bridge 29-10-07
Ontfin.com - Drewsville (Prentiss) Covered Bridge, New Hampshire

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California.  Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada.  The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926.  Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938.  A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947.   Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association.  Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe.   Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the  September 1950 California Highways & Public Works  during its Centennial Edition.  The or...

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway.  In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County.  That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848.  During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties.  From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort.  Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through.  The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70.  Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains.  When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate.  The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking.  At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap.  NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south.  This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40.    The Centra...