Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Wells River (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge, Woodsville Opera Building, and Ranger Bridge. Also, be sure to include Wells River Bridge in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Wells River (New Hampshire).
Table of Contents
Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge
Bridge in Bath, New Hampshire. The Haverhill–Bath Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge over the Ammonoosuc River joining Bath and Woodsville, New Hampshire. Formerly used to carry New Hampshire Route 135, the bridge was idled in 1999. Restored in 2004, it is now open to foot traffic only. It is believed to be the oldest covered bridge in the state.
The Haverhill–Bath Bridge is located in the northwestern corner of the town of Haverhill, connecting the village of Woodsville to a rural area in the southwestern corner of Bath. The bridge was built in 1829 with funding provided by both towns. It was built by Moses Abbott and Leonard Walker after Airel Miner, the first choice to supervise the construction, stepped down. The bridge is a Town lattice truss bridge with two spans, resting on stone and concrete abutments, and a stone pier. The road bed is 256 feet 8 inches (78.23 m) long and 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) wide, and the roof is 277 ft 8 in (84.63 m) long, covering not just the bridge but also framed entrances on both sides. There is a sidewalk (not part of the original construction) on the east (upstream) side of the bridge that is 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) wide. The roof on that side is extended over the sidewalk, giving the roof profile that of a saltbox house. The downstream side is finished in vertical board siding, with diamond openings spaced along its length and two larger rectangular openings near the ends.
The bridge has survived a number of floods, most notably in 1927, when the lattice work was pierced by a tree trunk, and a barn was carried into the structure. It has been renovated multiple times, most recently in 2004. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is commemorated by New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 190.[1]
Address: Hwy 135, Wells River (Haverhill)
Woodsville Opera Building
Building in New Hampshire. The Woodsville Opera Building is a historic commercial and performance building at 67 Central Street in Woodsville, New Hampshire, the commercial center of the town of Haverhill. Built in 1890, it is a local architectural landmark, and includes a performance venue that has been used for many local events, including high school graduations and proms. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[2]
Ranger Bridge
Bridge. The Ranger Bridge between Wells River, Vermont and Woodsville, New Hampshire, is a three-hinged steel arch truss bridge over the Connecticut River. It was built in 1923 to replace a 1917 bridge. This is the oldest steel arch bridge over the Connecticut River.[3]
Wells River Bridge
Bridge. The Wells River Bridge between Wells River, Vermont and Woodsville, New Hampshire, is a steel double-decked Baltimore truss bridge over the Connecticut River. It was built in 1903 to carry rail and road traffic.[4]
Wells River Graded School
Heritage building in Newbury, Vermont. The Wells River Graded School is a historic school building on United States Route 5 in the Wells River village of Newbury, Vermont. Built in 1874, it is one of the state's finest examples of Second Empire architecture. Now in commercial use, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[5]
Woodsville
Woodsville is a census-designated place and the largest village in the town of Haverhill in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States, along the Connecticut River at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc River. The population was 1,431 at the 2020 census. Although North Haverhill is now the county seat of Grafton County, the village of Woodsville has traditionally been considered the county seat, as the county courthouse was originally located there. The county buildings are now located halfway between Woodsville and the village of North Haverhill to the south.[6]