Near Bethlehem in Grafton County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Pierce Bridge

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

1. Pierce Bridge Marker

Inscription. By 1920 the adjacent road, Rt. 302 was part of the Teddy Roosevelt (TR) Trail, which ran from Maine to Oregon. It was an important way for tourists to access the White Mountains. After the 1927 floods, many bridges needed to be quickly replaced. With vertical members in compression and diagonals in tension, the High Pratt truss was strong and easy to construct, making it a favorite of state highway engineers. This riveted steel span was erected in 1928, keeping this important crossing in use.

Erected 2009 by NH Division of Historical Resources and the NH Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 218.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 44° 16.303′ N, 71° 37.85′ W. Marker is near Bethlehem, New Hampshire, in Grafton County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 302) and Beech Hill Road, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Located adjacent to the Wayside Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3738 Main Street, Bethlehem NH 03574, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies. Town Building (approx. 2.8 miles away); Jodo Karate (approx. 2.9 miles away); Site of Sinclair Hotel (approx. 2.9 miles away); Sinclair Lodge (approx. 3 miles away); Angel of the Mountains (approx. 3.1 miles away); Beecher's Pulpit (approx. 4½ miles away); Fanny’s Little Playhouse (approx. 5.2 miles away); Alderbrook (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethlehem.

Also see . . . New England Flood – November 1927. Wikipedia (Submitted on July 8, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

2. Pierce Bridge Marker

Pierce bridge in background

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

3. Pierce Bridge Marker

The Wayside Inn in background

Pierce Bridge (now closed to traffic) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

4. Pierce Bridge (now closed to traffic)

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

5. Pierce Bridge (now closed to traffic)

Pierce Bridge, built in 1928, now closed to traffic image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

6. Pierce Bridge, built in 1928, now closed to traffic

Photo taken from Pierce Bridge, looking downstream at new Route 302 bridge that replaced it. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

7. Photo taken from Pierce Bridge, looking downstream at new Route 302 bridge that replaced it.

Ammonoosuc River flows beneath bridges

Photo taken from Pierce Bridge, looking upstream towards White Mountains image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin Craft, July 5, 2011

8. Photo taken from Pierce Bridge, looking upstream towards White Mountains

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 779 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 6, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.