This historical marker commemorates the site of the original Piscataqua River Bridge built in 1794.
At 244 feet this was the longest span bridge in the United States when it opened. Timothy Palmer was the engineer / bridge builder who designed and built the bridge. Palmer was a pioneer in long span wooden truss bridge design and had already constructed several bridges in Massachusetts. The bridge was essential in establishing the first NH turnpike a land route between Portsmouth and Boston. This was an important bridge in early American bridge design and construction.
