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Thompson or West Swanzey, Cheshire County

If you find errors in the data please contact Bill Caswell.

If you would like to provide information on covered bridges that no longer exist from your state, or adopt a state to work on, we would certainly welcome your assistance. Please contact Trish Kane for more information.

Inventory Number: NH/29-03-04
State of New Hampshire Number:
County: Cheshire County
Township: Swanzey
Town/Village: West Swanzey
Bridge Name: Thompson or West Swanzey
Crosses: Ashuelot River
Truss type: Town
Spans: 2
Length: 151'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1832
Builder: Zadoc Taft
When Lost: standing
Cause:
Latitude: N42 52.307
Longitude: W072 19.682
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: 3.9 miles south of jct NH101 and Keene on NH10, then 0.3 miles left on Main St.

Thompson or West Swanzey Bridge, Swanzey, Cheshire County, NH Built 1832
Richard E. Roy Collection

Thompson or West Swanzey Bridge, Swanzey, Cheshire County, NH Built 1832
Bill Caswell Photo, January 26, 2016

Thompson or West Swanzey Bridge, Swanzey, Cheshire County, NH Built 1832
Bill Bowser Photo, October 25, 2020

Comments:
The bridge was constructed by local resident Zadoc Taft (1786-1866). It is also known as the Thompson Bridge in honor of West Swanzey resident Denman Thompson (1833-1911) who was a well-known vaudeville actor. The bridge was originally constructed with sidewalks on each side, but the south walkway was removed in 1945. In 1973, when it was posted for a six ton load limit, school busses were allowed to cross the bridge, but only if empty. When a bus full of students came to the bridge, the students would get off the bus, walk across the bridge, and reboard the bus on the other side. In 1976, a new concrete and steel bridge was built nearby to carry heavy vehicles. This one was rebuilt in 1998.

Sources:
Marshall, Richard G.. New Hampshire Covered Bridges : A Link With Our Past, 1994, page 11
Knoblock, Glenn A.. New Hampshire Covered Bridges, 2002, page 28
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. World Guide to Covered Bridges, 2021, page 45
Chandler, Kim Varney. Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, 2022, Pages 13-16

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