Lovejoy Bridge

Lovejoy Bridge
Location Over Ellis River, South Andover, Maine
Coordinates 44°35′37″N 70°44′2″W / 44.59361°N 70.73389°W / 44.59361; -70.73389Coordinates: 44°35′37″N 70°44′2″W / 44.59361°N 70.73389°W / 44.59361; -70.73389
Area 0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built 1868 (1868)
Architectural style Paddleford truss
NRHP Reference # 70000057[1]
Added to NRHP February 16, 1970

The Lovejoy Bridge is a historic covered bridge in South Andover, Maine. It is a Paddleford truss bridge, which carries Covered Bridge Road over the Ellis River, about 9 miles (14 km) north of US Route 2. Built in 1868, it is one of a small number of 19th-century covered bridges remaining in the state, and it is the state's shortest covered bridge. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[1]

Description

The Ellis River cuts a meandering course through the town of Andover, joining the Androscoggin River at Rumford Point. There has probably been a bridge at this site in southern Andover since the early 19th century, as the river course narrows sufficiently, and provides a crossing point for people traveling between Rumford Point and the main village of Andover, which is located further north. This bridge was built in 1868, but it is known that a small village already existed nearby, suggesting the existence of a previous bridge.[2]

The bridge is 70 feet (21 m) long and 20 feet (6.1 m) wide, with a roadway width of 17 feet (5.2 m) and an internal clearance of 14 feet (4.3 m). It rests on abutments built out of large granite blocks. The bridge has a gabled roof, giving it a total height of 22 feet (6.7 m). Its sides are sheathed in vertical boards, and the gable ends have been trimmed.[2] The bridge was reinforced in 1984 to support local traffic.[3]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lovejoy Covered Bridge.

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 "NRHP nomination for Lovejoy Bridge" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  3. ↑ "Lovejoy Bridge". Maine Department of Transportation. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
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