BEFORE THE BRIDGE BURNED

Smith-Eastman Covered Bridge, East Conway, New Hampshire [Two Original Photographs — 1937]

A LOST NEW HAMPSHIRE LANDMARK BEFORE THE FIRE.
Two original photographs documenting the Smith-Eastman Covered Bridge over the Saco River near East Conway, New Hampshire, one showing the long covered span from the riverbank and the other looking directly into the bridge from the roadway.

A manuscript identification on the verso of one photograph reads ‘East Conway / N.H. / 1937’, providing a contemporary date and location. The Smith-Eastman Bridge, also known as the Joel Eastman Bridge, was built in 1845–46 and remained a prominent local crossing until its destruction by arson in 1975.

TWO VIEWS OF ONE CROSSING.
The river view is particularly effective, showing the bridge's full two-span profile across the Saco amid the largely undeveloped river landscape. The second photograph records the roadway entrance and covered structure at closer range. Together they preserve both the setting and physical appearance of a bridge that has since disappeared.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Two vintage black-and-white photographs, each approximately 5 by 3.5 inches inches. One landscape view showing the covered bridge across the Saco River; one frontal roadway view of the bridge entrance.

The river view retains four mounting corners from its former placement in an album. Verso of that photograph with manuscript notation in blue ink, ‘East Conway / N.H. / 1937’, followed by what appears to read ‘(Return Pictures)’; additional stamped or written inventory notation. The second photograph has a small numerical marking on the verso.

CONDITION: Photographs remain well preserved with generally strong image detail and tonal range. Light age toning and handling wear. The river view retains corner-mount residue/evidence from former album mounting, visible principally at the corners. Verso with manuscript and numerical markings as described. The roadway photograph shows minor scattered surface marks visible in the image area.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE — A BRIDGE THAT NO LONGER STANDS.
The Smith-Eastman Bridge crossed the Saco River between Redstone and Center Conway. Built in 1845–46, it was a two-span Paddleford truss with arches, approximately 273 feet long, and became one of the important historic crossings of the Conway area. Sources attribute its construction to Peter Paddleford and describe it as an early—and possibly the first—example of his characteristic truss system.

CONNECTING THE SACO VALLEY.
The crossing originated in a practical transportation dispute. Joel Eastman and John Smith supported a bridge at this location because it shortened travel toward Portland; the resulting crossing eliminated several miles of travel around the Saco. The bridge subsequently served local transportation for well over a century.

PRESERVING A LOST LANDMARK.
The date 1937 gives these photographs additional documentary interest. The bridge survived into the automobile era and eventually carried U.S. Route 302 before the highway was rerouted. It was destroyed by arson on July 5, 1975; the former bridge site is now associated with Smith-Eastman Park/Landing.

SUBJECTS: Smith-Eastman Covered Bridge, Joel Eastman Bridge, East Conway New Hampshire, Conway New Hampshire, Saco River, Covered Bridges, Peter Paddleford, Paddleford Truss, Carroll County, New Hampshire Architecture, Historic Bridges, 1930s Photography, Vernacular Photography, Architectural Photography, Transportation History, Local History, Americana, New Hampshire History.

Item #22472

Price: $35.00