This section of the trail may not be suitable for human and animal-powered users during the warm-weather months!
This section of the trail may not be suitable for
human and animal-powered users during the warm-weather months!
|
|
 Brought to you by MapBlast! (Click on map to navigate)
|
East under Bath Covered Bridge. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
The Rail-trail passes under the north end of the Bath Covered Bridge, which crosses the river into the village of Bath. The Bath Depot must have been just east of this bridge. The village center at the south end of the bridge contains the general store (The Brick Store), a church, and a municipal building that contains the Library and Post Office.
The Brick Store in Bath. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on May 1, 1999.
The Bath Congregational Church near The Brick Store. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on May 1, 1999.
An old caboose apparently used as a seasonal residence. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on May 1, 1999.
The old caboose that is located a short distance east of the covered bridge appears to be a private seasonal residence. Trail users must respect the privacy of the owners of this caboose!
The Brick
Store at the south end of the covered bridge advertises
itself as America's oldest general store. As such it offers a
variety of simple groceries, sandwiches and snacks to trail users,
while the adjacent ice cream shop provides toilets and water upon
request. Picnic tables are located on a deck overlooking the
covered bridge at the east end of the building. The Brick Store
also operates a Mail Order business for its wide variety of gift
items and specifically invites inquiries by mail (PO Box 118,
Bath, NH 03740) and telephone (1-800-964-2074).
The Post Office and
Library are both located in the Municipal Building a short
distance away from The Brick Store. The Library is open on Tues 1-7,
Thurs 10-12 & 1-5, and also Sat 9-12.
Local Services DirectoryEach location map on this Web Site is a link to a map on the Mapblast Web Site which in turn contains a link to a Business Directory of the surrounding area.
East across Ammonoosuc River Bridge West of Bath. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 21, 1998.
Side view of Ammonoosuc River Bridge West of Bath. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 21, 1998.
West under Route 302 Overpass West of Bath. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 8, 1997.
The task of adding solid bridge decking and sturdy railings to the rather long river bridge was completed in the late fall of 1998. Note the abandoned bridge abutments alongside the north side of the railroad bridge.
The State Highway once ran along the river bank and passed under the railroad at the west end of the river bridge. The old highway right-of-way has been grassed over for fishing access to the river and even features a parking area at its west end. Unfortunately, there is no convenient means to traverse the four foot vertical drop from the rail-trail to the adjacent old highway grade at the closest point near the new highway bridge. Trail planners are urged to investigate the feasibility of a very short connecting trail between the rail-trail and the abandoned road grade at that point, so that the old highway grade can serve as a trailhead as well as a scenic rest and picnic area for both highway and rail-trail users. In that event, the old highway grade running southwest towards the junction of Route 112 could also be used as as public trail access to the junction of Route 112 and the nearby commercial campground.
West across Ammonoosuc River Bridge East of Bath. Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on October 21, 1998.
A very small
informal roadside
parking area on Route 302 provides trail access at the east end of the truss
bridge northeast of Bath Station.
A group of historic buildings are located about a quarter mile
south of the railroad truss bridge that is northeast of Bath Station. However,
the only obvious means of access (Route 302) is hazardous to trail users due to the narrow pavement and complete lack
of shoulders. Note that these
buildings appear to be private residences with no opportunity for
public access!
Listed on the
National Register
of Historic Places:Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs by Richard C. Moeur.
Updated on February 27, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <[email protected]>.
Unintentional errors are likely!
