Dave's Collected History of Bartlett, NH
Covered Bridges at Bartlett, NH - Past and Present
Bartlett was once graced with at least three covered bridges spanning both the Saco and Ellis Rivers at various crossing locations. In 2026 there is only one survivor and it is privately owned.
The others were at Goodrich Falls and Downtown Glen - both on the Ellis River.
The Bartlett Bridge Over the Saco River
In the February 20, 1981 Issue of The Mountain Ear newspaper Steve Eastman wrote an article about local area covered bridges. The article includes these quotes:
The Known Facts: The historic Bartlett Covered Bridge, which spans the Saco River, is one of only 53 covered bridges left in New Hampshire. Built in 1850, the bridge is 183 feet long with single span, paddleford type construction. The span was strengthened for vehicular traffic by the addition of a pair of laminated wooden arches in the 1920’s. This bridge carried traffic travelling on Route 302 over the Saco River for more than 80 years until it was replaced by the steel bridge in 1939. Dan, Nancy & Allison Wanek are the fourth owners of this historical property. (2026)
​
Key historical notes
- The bridge originally carried the main road through Bartlett. - It was bypassed in 1939 when Route 302 was realigned. - In the 1960s it was restored and converted into a small retail space by Jules and Isabel Cassenlli who owned the house next door. Today that house is a B&B and the Shop still operates in the bridge. - It remains one of the most photographed structures in Bartlett.
- Bartlett covered bridge is listed in the World Guide of Covered Bridges, number 29-02-02 and is New Hampshire covered bridge #50.​
"In addition to the structure over Goodrich Falls in Jackson, Leander Nute also built the Bartlett Bridge which crosses over the Saco Rover off Route 302 between Bartlett and Glen. The 183' long structure is listed in some books as being built in 1870 but its builder's granddaughter, Helen Nute, contends that he would have had to build the bridge in the 1850s prior to his service in the Civil War. No records exist to verity the exact date, however, and consequently all of the dates mentioned are merely estimates. More precise information is known about the bridge's past in this century, however, and records show that the structure was abandoned in the 1930s. It remained dormant over the years, being used by the state and town to store road equipment, and as its condition became worse, rolls of snow fence. The town of Bartlett sold the entire structure to Isabelle and Jules Casinelli in 1966 for the price of one dollar. The Casinelli's owned a house adjacent to the bridge, and wanted to have a small workshop and gift shop to display her needlework and fine fabric articles. The abandoned covered bridge seemed like a logical choice, and their bid of $1.00 won out over others, since they had no intention of moving or substantially altering the architectural integrity of the bridge."
"The Casinellis remember the bridge as being in quite poor condition then - bed timber below the truss on the southeast corner was decayed so badly that it was only a pad of humus, and a floor timber caught between the broken end of an inverted arch and a diagonal member of a side truss were all that kept the corner from falling. They contacted Milton S Graton to repair the bridge, a major accomplishment which he finished after 10 months of work in 1966."
"Graton and his sons built the small gift shop that stands inside the bridge the following spring, letting the air out of their truck tires in order to pass under the roof supports of the bridge as they towed the small building through the portal. Today, passerbys continue to be enthralled by the charm of the old bridge, and share in the Casinellis' appreciation for the structure."
"When we compare what the bridge looks like now to its former appearance when we bought it," said Isabelle Casinelli," it's very gratifying to know that we've helped to preserve and restore the bridge. People who drop in to see us seem to share our feelings for it as well, and that pleases us. Covered bridges are such a part of our past, that it's only right they they be preserved. We're happy to have been able to contribute to that effort."
Who Built This Bridge? There are many theories, but the bottom line is there is no documented evidence as to who may have been the builder. A 1981 Mountain Ear article says that Helen Nute's grandfather, Leander Nute built it. Local lore credits Amos Eastman who owned a sawmill near the Glen railroad station. A John Leavitt received a documented payment from the Town of Bartlett for a bridge over the Saco, but that was 29 years after the presumed original construction in 1850 nor does it specifically reference this same bridge. Others mention The Berry Brothers who were very active builders in the 1850's. All these ideas are pure speculation; there is no documented evidence to support any of it except the Leavitt payment.
The Glen Ellis Bridge Near Glen Station
Township:Bartlett
Town/Village:Glen
Bridge Name:Glen
Crosses:Ellis River
Truss type:Paddleford & Arch
Spans:1
Length:130'
Roadway Width:
Built:1866
Builder:
When Lost:1938
Very little is known about this bridge except that it crossed the Ellis River near today's Patches Marketplace and the Glen Post Office. It was replaced with a metal truss bridge during the late 1930's. (Similar to the picture at left which is not the actual bridge). In the 1990's that bridge was replaced with concrete and steel due to the need for higher vehicle clearances and width.
The Goodrich Falls Bridge on Rte 16 Crosses the Ellis River
Township:Bartlett
Town/Village:Goodrich Falls
Bridge Name:Goodrich Falls
Crosses:Ellis River
Truss type:Paddleford & Arch
Spans:1
Length:104'
Roadway Width:
Built:1857
Builder:Leander Nute
When Lost:1930
Cause:Removed
Latitude:N44 07.61
Longitude:W071 11.34
In a 1981 article The Mt Ear newspaper described this as a handsome span that once crossed Goodrich Falls in Jackson, (Editors note, it's actually in Bartlett) built in the 1850s by Helen Nute's grandfather, Leander Nute. Crossing the Spans of Time - Covered Bridges Pay Tribute to the Past
