Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
List Source-Maine Department of Tourism.
Covered Bridges
Covered bridges are a quintessential symbol of New England. Typical of
Yankee frugality, the spans were covered over to afford the structure pro-
tection from wind and rain, make it easier to keep the decking free of
snow and ice, and to help keep horses calm while crossing high over rush-
ing streams.
At their high point there were hundreds of covered bridges throughout
the region. Most succumbed to old age, fire, or flood.
Hemlock Bridge, 1857
, Saco River. Located off Route 302, three miles
northwest of East Fryeburg in the town of Fryeburg. Spanning an old
channel of the Saco River, it is of Paddleford truss construction with sup-
porting laminated wooden arches.
Sunday River Bridge, 1872
, Sunday River. The “Artist's Bridge” is the
most painted and most photographed bridge in the state. It is located off
Routes 2 and 26, about four miles northwest of North Bethel in the town
of Newry.
Porter Bridge, 1876
, Ossipee River. Built by the towns of Porter and
Parsonfield as a joint project, the two-span structure is located off Route
160, a half-mile south of Porter.
Lovejoy Bridge, 1883
, Ellis River. This Paddleford truss structure is
the shortest of Maine's covered bridges at only 70 feet long. Built by the
Town of Andover, it is located off Route 5 at South Andover.
Bennet Bridge, 1901
, Magalloway River. This relatively young bridge
is just off Route 16, 1½ miles south of the Wilsons Mills post office, then
west .3 miles to the Lincoln Plantation.
