There Is a Unique Man-Made Wonder Hiding in This Small Town in New Hampshire

I have an affinity for railroads. As a kid, we lived directly on a freight line, and I loved watching the trains roll past. I still enjoy it today, although there are fewer trains around these days. The infrastructure that supports it is also amazing from an engineering perspective.

The railroad age was booming in the Northeast during the 18th and 19th centuries. And the fact that these enormous transportation networks were built without today's modern technology is even more impressive. A stunning example is this man-made wonder in New Hampshire.

Frankenstein Trestle in Hart's Location is located along the former Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad in Crawford Notch. It rises 85 feet above the valley below.

The current bridge was constructed in 1893 to replace an earlier span built in 1875. It has been strengthened twice since then, both in the 1900s. The creation of the trestle, as well as the entire railroad through this mountain, was an engineering marvel of its time.

The 520-foot trestle is still in use today by the Conway Scenic Railroad, which runs excursion trains from Conway up through Crawford Notch. A ride along one of the Conway Scenic Railroad's trains provides spectacular views of Crawford Notch.

While the name might bring to mind a famous monster, the Frankenstein moniker comes from American painter Godfrey N. Frankenstein (1820-1873), who frequented the area. Above the trestle, the railroad passes through a much smaller man-made wonder at the top of Crawford Notch, a deep granite cut that is part of an area known as The Gateway.

Views of Frankenstein Trestle can be had by hiking along the Frankenstein Cliff Trail. Please be advised that climbing onto or walking across the bridge is prohibited and dangerous; this is an active railroad, and you should not set foot on it. For more information, consult the AMC White Mountain Guide and the Crawford Notch State Park website.