Pittsfield in Merrimack County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Mary's Bridge

1874

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 2, 2024

1. Mary's Bridge Marker

Inscription. On a dark evening in 1874, young Mary Bodge plunged into the river as she attempted to cross a little foot bridge that had been removed during the day while she was at work. Her screams were heard for some distance, but she drowned. As a result, the town voted to build a permanent covered bridge which became known as Mary's Bridge. It was replaced with a steel structure in 1909 and again in 1997.

Erected 1999 by Pittsfield Historical Society. (Marker Number 28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire, Pittsfield Historical Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 43° 18.488′ N, 71° 19.746′ W. Marker is in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, in Merrimack County. It is at the intersection of River Road and Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north on River Road. Marker is between guardrail and steep embankment at water's edge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 River Rd, Pittsfield NH 03263, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parsonage House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); River Schoolhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washington House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Block (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pittsfield Weaving Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Drake Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jonathan “Jocky” Fogg, Patriot (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tuttle Block (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsfield.

Also see . . .
1. A Lament for Mary. On Thursday the 8th of January 1874, twenty six year old Mary Bodge was nearing the end of her long walk to work from Barnstead to one of the many mills in neighboring Pittsfield, and she crossed the Suncook on what sounds like some sort of low slung simple rope and board bridge. (Will Truax, The Bridgewright Blog, Feb. 28, 2015)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 2, 2024

2. Mary's Bridge Marker

(Submitted on November 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Pittsfield Historical Trail (PDF). Historical guide for a 1.5-mile loop trail developed by the Pittsfield Historical Society. The trail stops at three dozen historical sites that were typical of New England communities more than a century ago: homes, churches, schools, industrial and commercial buildings as well as dams and bridges. (Submitted on November 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.