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Edgell, Grafton County

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Inventory Number: NH/29-05-11
State of New Hampshire Number: 25
County: Grafton County
Township: Lyme
Town/Village:
Bridge Name: Edgell
Crosses: Clay Brook
Truss type: Town
Spans: 1
Length: 150'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1885
Builder: Walter G. Piper
When Lost: standing
Cause:
Latitude: N43 52.070
Longitude: W072 09.882
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: 1.7 miles south of jct NH25A on NH10, then 0.9 miles right on River Rd. South-southwest of Orford.

Edgell Bridge near mouth of Clay Brook, Lyme, NH Built 1885. Connecticut River in background.
Bill Caswell Photo, March 20, 2012

Edgell Bridge, Lyme, Grafton County, NH Built 1885
Richard E. Roy Collection

Edgell Bridge, Lyme, Grafton County, NH Built 1885
Bill Caswell Photo (1984)

Edgell Bridge, Lyme, Grafton County, NH Built 1885
Bill Caswell Photo, April 14, 2014

Comments:
The bridge was built by Walter Piper (1861-1913) who lived in Lyme at the time. Walter and his father, John C. Piper were both listed as carpenters in the 1880 census. The bridge was assembled on the town common and moved by oxcart to the planned location. It is named after Civil War Veteran Major Frederick M. Edgell (1828-1877). In 1936, it washed off its northern abutment. It was moved back and tied down with cables. State bridge maintenance crews repaired the abutments, put in a new floor, and trued up the structure in 1971 at a cost of $23,829. On the night of February 21, 1982 the roof collapsed from a heavy load of snow. In July 1982, it was repaired at a cost of $30,000. The Edgell Bridge is considered eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sources:
Marshall, Richard G.. New Hampshire Covered Bridges : A Link With Our Past, 1994, page 49
Knoblock, Glenn A.. New Hampshire Covered Bridges, 2002, page 43
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. World Guide to Covered Bridges, 2021, page 49
Chandler, Kim Varney. Covered Bridges of New Hampshire, 2022, Pages 95-97

Compilation 2026 Covered Spans of Yesteryear

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