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Cresson or Sawyer's Crossing, Cheshire County

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Inventory Number: NH/29-03-05
State of New Hampshire Number:
County: Cheshire County
Township: Swanzey
Town/Village:
Bridge Name: Cresson or Sawyer's Crossing
Crosses: Ashuelot River
Truss type: Town
Spans: 2
Length: 158'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1859
Builder:
When Lost: standing
Cause:
Latitude: N42 53.172
Longitude: W072 17.190
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: 3.1 miles south of jct NH10/12/101 and Keene on NH10 (south) (West Swanzey Rd.), then 2.0 miles left on Sawyer's Crossing Rd. South of Keene.

Cresson or Sawyer's Crossing Bridge, Swanzey, NH (Built 1859)
Richard E. Roy Collection

Cresson or Sawyer's Crossing Bridge, Swanzey, Cheshire County, NH Built 1859
Bill Caswell Photo

Cresson or Sawyer's Crossing Bridge, Swanzey, Cheshire County, NH Built 1859
Bill Caswell Photo, January 26, 2016

Comments:
According to the History of Swanzey by Benjamin Read, this structure is also known by the name Cresson. The bridge was reconstructed in 1859 at a cost of $1,735.94. The event was celebrated with a big dance held right on the bridge. Lanterns were hung from the rafters, a four piece orchestra played, lunch was served at midnight, and the dance continued all night. In 1953 the bridge was used by Arthur Godfrey as a tie-in with a Chesterfield cigarette Christmas carton. In response, Governor Hugh Gregg flew to New York to present Mr. Godfrey with an honorary deed to the bridge making him an owner. The bridge was repaired in 1983 at a cost of $61,028.15 of which $16,446.22 was contributed by the town. The remainder came from the state. The Sawyer's Crossing Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sources:
Marshall, Richard G.. New Hampshire Covered Bridges : A Link With Our Past, 1994, page 13
Knoblock, Glenn A.. New Hampshire Covered Bridges, 2002, page 30
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. World Guide to Covered Bridges, 2021, page 45
Chandler, Kim Varney. Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, 2022, Pages 17-20

Compilation 2026 Covered Spans of Yesteryear

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