| Carleton Bridge | |
| Nearest City: | East Swanzey, New Hampshire |
| Coordinates: | 42.8547°N -72.2744°W |
| Architecture: | Queenpost Truss |
| Added: | June 10, 1975 |
| Area: | less than one acre |
| Refnum: | 75000121 |
The Carlton Bridge (or Carleton Bridge) is a historic wooden covered bridge that carries Carlton Road over the South Branch Ashuelot River in East Swanzey, New Hampshire. The bridge was built in 1869, and is the region's only surviving example of a 19th-century Queenspost truss bridge. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
The Carlton Bridge is located in central eastern Swanzey, in a rural setting on Carlton Road east of New Hampshire Route 32. Carlton Road is one of the main routes connecting Swanzey village with East Swanzey. The bridge is a single span 67inchesft3inchesin (ftin) in length and 16inchesft6inchesin (ftin) wide, resting on granite abutments. Its roadway is 12inchesft4inchesin (ftin) wide, sufficient for one lane of traffic. Its exterior is sheathed in vertical board siding and is topped by a gabled roof. Its trusses have been reinforced with iron tie rods and other metal elements.
The bridge was built in 1869 on a site that is believed to have had a bridge since 1789.[1] It is believed to be the only example of a Queenspost truss bridge in southern New Hampshire. This truss method is quite old, and is based on techniques used for building large structures such as churches and barns.[2] The Carlton Bridge was repaired in 1997 by Wright Construction Co., Inc. of Mount Holly, Vermont. Work began with dismantling the bridge to provide access to the bottom chord; reusable pieces were stored in a nearby field. Crews replaced rotted wood throughout the bridge, including the trusses, floorboards, and rails. The repairs cost $414,025, with the State Bridge Aid Program covering 80 percent. The Carlton Bridge reopened on October 4, 1997. [3]