Stone Arch Bridges
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In an area that was prone to flooding, wood-beam bridges built over the Contoocook were constantly washing away. However, the limestone traditionally used as mortar for stone bridges wasn’t strong enough to support the wide arches across the river. Plucky Scottish masons solved the conundrum by pioneering a form of “dry masonry” in which stones were painstakingly fit together without any mortar at all.
Once there were a dozen of these beautiful Stone Arch Bridges around the community. Five still remain, including a particularly handsome double-arch bridge at the intersection of Route 202 and West Main Street. Stop by the chamber of commerce office for a map of the rest.
© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition
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