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Smith-Eastman or Joel's, Carroll County

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Inventory Number: NH/29-02-04x
State of New Hampshire Number: 52
County: Carroll County
Township: Conway
Town/Village: Redstone - Center Conway
Bridge Name: Smith-Eastman or Joel's
Crosses: Saco River
Truss type: Paddleford and arch
Spans: 2
Length: 273'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1846
Builder: probably Peter Paddleford
When Lost: 05 Jul 1975
Cause: Arson
Latitude: N44 00.01
Longitude: W071 04.99
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: On US302 between Redstone and Center Conway.

Eastman or Joel or Smith Bridge, Conway, Carroll County, NH Built 1846 Arson 5 Jul 1975
Richard E. Roy Collection

Eastman or Joel or Smith Bridge, Conway, Carroll County, NH Built 1846 Arson 5 Jul 1975
Bill Caswell Collection

Eastman or Joel or Smith Bridge, Conway, Carroll County, NH Built 1846 Arson 5 Jul 1975
Undated Madge Pierce Photo, NSPCB Archives

Comments:
This is thought to be the first Paddleford truss built. The bridge between Redstone and Center Conway — the Smith-Eastman Bridge — was built in 1845-46. It was the longest, historically, in Conway. Prior to its construction, animosity developed among townfolk over where it should be located. Many wanted the Chataque site in Conway, as it would allow them to get to Dover more easily. Those living eastward toward Center Conway wanted it there in order to get to Portland. Judge Joel Eastman, with his farm located at the latter site and his John Smith, who delivered the stage line to Portland, made an agreement in December 1844 to construct the bridge themselves along with the portion of road on their land to access it. A 1937 Boston Globe article states that the bridge was built by Messrs. Eastman, Towle and Odell. The article also notes that after the bridge and road were constructed, people from Maine regularly used it because it saved them about 4 miles from the previous route to North Conway. Since the route was being used by the public, the town was required to reimburse the men for their construction costs. Many called this bridge the Joel Eastman; others the Smith-Eastman. In the 1930s, the town allocated $4,000 for Frank Broughton to repair the bridge. Broughton completed the repairs and returned $400 to the town. Sadly, arsonists — partying youths — destroyed the 130-year-old structure in July 1975.

Sources:
Boston Sunday Globe, December 4, 1937
Nashua Telegraph, July 7, 1975, Page 1
National Society For the Preservation of Covered Bridges. Covered Bridge Topics, Volume XXXIII, No. 4, Fall 1975, page 10
National Society For the Preservation of Covered Bridges. Covered Bridge Topics, Volume LXXII, No. 3, Summer 2014, page 12
National Society For the Preservation of Covered Bridges. Covered Bridge Topics, Volume XXXIX, No. 2, Spring 1981, page 14

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