There’s Nothing Quite As Magical As The Stone Arch Bridge You’ll Find In Stoddard, New Hampshire

New Hampshire is filled with history! You can find it sitting in local museums and even just at the side of the road. There's something special about the history here because hearing it helps us understand the way life was before we arrived. While sometimes that history can feel so far-away that it's hard to imagine, each story certainly helps paint a better picture of the hard work that went into making sure New Hampshire has thrived. One such example is seen in a lovely bridge that's often overlooked.

The historic Stone Arch Bridge in Stoddard dates back to 1852.

As the story goes, the town, in March of that year the residents of the town voted to construct a bridge over the North Branch river leading to Antrim.

Three town selectmen oversaw the project and the town was excited to see it come to life.

The bridge, which was built without any mortar relying solely on the shape of the stones, is considered a great example of the unique types of bridges that were built in the Contoocook River Valley during this period of time.

The bridge has survived more than 150 years, but at the time locals weren't pleased with the way it looked.

They felt it was too ornate for their little town and many blamed the selectmen who were in charge of its oversight. The bridge stayed, but the selectmen were never elected to their roles again!

Visiting the bridge is simple if you know where to go. And the area is beautiful year-round. We especially love it in the fall when it's surrounded by colorful leaves. But in the spring the water is frequently rushing, making for a whole different experience.

The Stone Arch Bridge can be seen any time simply by heading to the town line of Stoddard and Antrim, alongside N.H. Route 9. Click here to see the exact location on a map.

This isn't the only historic bridge in the state! Another one of the best historic stone arch bridges in the country is right here in New Hampshire and you can learn about it here.