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

Contoocook Railroad Bridge and Depot

By Kevin Craft, August 28, 2015

1. Contoocook Railroad Bridge and Depot Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1889 on the granite abutments of an older span, this is the world's oldest surviving covered railroad bridge. It was probably designed by Boston & Maine Railroad engineer Jonathan Parker Snow (1848–1933) and built by carpenter David Hazelton (1832–1908). Under Snow, the Boston & Maine utilized wooden bridges on its branch lines until after 1900, longer than any other major railroad. The nearby depot was built in 1850 on the earlier Concord & Claremont Railroad, which was acquired by the Boston & Maine in 1887.

Erected 2005 by New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 195.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 43° 13.393′ N, 71° 42.851′ W. Marker is in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, in Merrimack County. Marker is at the intersection of Park Avenue (New Hampshire Route 103) and Kearsarge Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Park Avenue. Marker is in the SE corner of Dimitri's Pizza restaurant parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Contoocook NH 03229, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Woodwell's Garrison 1744 (approx. ¾ mile away); Hopkinton and Contoocook Veterans Monument

Wideview of Contoocook Railroad Bridge and Depot Marker image. Click for full size.

By Kevin Craft, August 28, 2015

2. Wideview of Contoocook Railroad Bridge and Depot Marker

Bridge portal to the right of the marker

(approx. 2.9 miles away); Hopkinton World War I Monument (approx. 2.9 miles away); Rev Jacob Cram (approx. 3 miles away); The Stanley Tavern (approx. 3 miles away); William H. Long Memorial Building (approx. 3.1 miles away); East Weare Village (approx. 6.1 miles away); Molly Stark House (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hopkinton.

Contoocook Railroad Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

By Kevin Craft, August 28, 2015

3. Contoocook Railroad Covered Bridge

Contoocook Railroad Depot image. Click for full size.

By Jamie Murray, 2015

4. Contoocook Railroad Depot

By Jamie Murray, 2015

5. Contoocook Railroad Depot

By Jamie Murray, 2015

6. Contoocook Railroad Depot

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2015, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 17, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico.