Mechanic Street Bridge
No. 31
Built in 1862, the Mechanic Street Covered Bridge spans the Israel River in Lancaster and is the last of three covered bridges that once crossed the river. The 94-foot, single-span Paddleford truss was built by Captain Charles P. Richardson, a fact uncovered years later through receipts preserved at Weeks Memorial Library. After surviving a truck strike and fire, the bridge underwent major rehabilitation in 1967 and again in 2006. Today, the Mechanic Street Covered Bridge continues to carry traffic through downtown Lancaster.
Mechanic Street Bridge Article
Captain Charles Richardson Article
Paddleford Truss Podcast
The Paddleford Truss with Bob Durfee
Kim interviews engineer Bob Durfee of DuBois & King about bridgewright Peter Paddleford and his unique truss design. Learn why even though it was never patented, the Paddleford truss dominated covered bridge construction in northern New England for many years. Today there are only 22 Paddleford covered bridges left in New England.
Bridgewrights Paddleford Article
Mechanic Street Bridge Photo Album
