1. The Bridge Project

004.Depot Street - Chichester

This may be the oldest iron truss in New Hampshire. "Thunder Bridge" carried Depot Street traffic in Chichester over the Suncook River. It was built in 1887 and has likely had numerous periodic restorations. It is fully accessible as a pedestrian walkway, though one end dumps you out onto someone's lawn, so it's not really for through traffic.
Read More
  • The bridge is almost hidden in the foliage along the side of the current Depot Street bridge. Yes, that's my car ahead on the right.

    The bridge is almost hidden in the foliage along the side of the current Depot Street bridge. Yes, that's my car ahead on the right.

  • The original approach is a pretty lawn and a shed now.

    The original approach is a pretty lawn and a shed now.

  • This is a lenticular through truss. There are at least 2 of these still in NH; the other is in much worse condition.

    This is a lenticular through truss. There are at least 2 of these still in NH; the other is in much worse condition.

  • Untitled photo
  • The approach from this side is in better shape, because there's another house and business along here.

    The approach from this side is in better shape, because there's another house and business along here.

  • The older a bridge is, the more ornate it is. This is the surviving ID plate.

    The older a bridge is, the more ornate it is. This is the surviving ID plate.

  • Untitled photo
  • A quiet stretch of the Suncook.

    A quiet stretch of the Suncook.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Pin connections, and the replacement bridge.

    Pin connections, and the replacement bridge.

  • About six months after I shot those photos, I attended a public meeting to get this bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I was surprised that it wasn't already on it.

    About six months after I shot those photos, I attended a public meeting to get this bridge listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I was surprised that it wasn't already on it.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Here you can see the original roadway.

    Here you can see the original roadway.

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.