Stone Bridge View
As you are standing in the parking lot, look to the right or upstream to view Location 1 on this tour.The Edna Dean Proctor Bridge is the town’s iconic double arch stone bridge which was originally built in 1835. This photo is a good representation of a typical water level in the river. Notice the building on the right end of the bridge and the proximity of the foundation to the river. You will learn throughout the tour that many early structures were built on the edge of the riverbank.This photo was taken in the afternoon of March 19, 1936. Just prior to the time the photo was taken, an ice jam had accumulated behind the bridge. It took more than an hour to clear the jam. When it was released a torrent of water raced under the arches. The water torrent caused minor damage to the bridge and repairs to loose stones were made.This is a recent image of the bridge after widening renovations occurred in 2000.
Handle Company View
Location 2 is directly across the river on the inside of the sharp bend in the Contoocook River. The rambling set of buildings in the photo were collectively known, in the 1930s, as the Henniker Handle Company. The Handle Company made turned wood handles for utilitarian products like shaving brushes, knives, tools, and stocking darners.In March 1936, the raging flood waters inundated the Handle Company property seen on the right in the during photo. The engine room was completely flooded. In the background you can see the yards of the homes downstream at the top of Ramsdell Road.Today the location is a parking lot for New England College. All that remains of the old buildings is a portion of a concrete foundation.
Upper Dam
Proceed to Location 3 by ascending the steps in the parking area up to the Main Street sidewalk. Or you may follow the sidewalk to the bridge. Walk right about 100 yards until you get to Main Street. Take a right onto Main Street and walk until you reach the grassy island and turn right onto Ramsdell Road. The next stop will be approximately 150 yards on the right side of the road.Location 3 was historically referred to as the Upper Dam. The dam located in the photo, far right, spanned the width of the Contoocook River and created a mill pond beyond the stone bridge. The water energy generated by this dam supplied a grist mill at the east end and a large mill at the west end known as the Henniker Crutch Company in 1936. The Grist Mill had been destroyed prior to 1930 but the Crutch Company was still operating in 1936.During the flood of 1936, the water approached the buildings. This photo, looking back toward Main Street, shows the east end of the Upper Dam with rolling water at the bottom and water lapping at the edge of Ramsdell Road.The dam was removed in the 1950s by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Flood Control Project. The far east portion was retained for erosion control and historic purposes.
Houses on Ramsdell Road
Continue your route south on Ramsdell Road until you come to the narrow grassy area on your left.Location 4 is the site where three spacious homes with outbuildings were nestled between the sandy slope and Ramsdell Road in 1936.House #1 was located where Henniker’s wastewater pump station is today. House #2 was located at the current grassy picnic area. The only remains of this original property are a few stone foundation walls. House #3 was located at the current entrance to the Henniker Wastewater treatment facility and Town Highway Department.
Norton Fiberboard Manufacturing
Continue your route south, stopping at the steel bridge on Ramsdell Road.Location 5 is the former site of the Norton Fiberboard Manufacturing. Fiberboard products were used in the shoe industry in the making of soles. The mill was at the east end of the Lower Falls Dam and used waterpower supplied by the mill pond that was created between the lower and upper dams. The before photo is a view approaching the mill while standing on Ramsdell Road.The during photo shows the Norton mill with flood water elevation at its highest level.The after photo shows the destruction to the building's lower floor after the flood waters receded.Today the only physical remains of the property that can be seen are the concrete retaining wall (see the before photo) and the slab foundation nearest the east end of the bridge.
Steel Bridge View
Proceed across the steel bridge using the sidewalk for safety.Location 6 is the steel bridge, also known as the Leatherboard Bridge, at the lower falls area. This spot on the Contoocook River was a frequent crossing point of early settlers and became a natural site for bridge placement.During the flood, Henniker residents attempted to save the bridge. In the during photo, you see them making efforts to do so. The bridge was struck by a large piece of ice and lifted off the abutments at 11 a.m. on March 19, 1936. The ice caused the bridge’s steel framework to tumble in the flood waters. The remains came to rest about 300 yards downstream.-----You have completed the Flood of 1936 historic walking tour of Henniker. Return to your vehicle following the same route. Finish your tour with a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on Main Street and relax while enjoying the beautiful Contoocook River scenery! Thank you for participating and we hope you enjoyed learning about the Contoocook’s River impact on Henniker!Photos are property of the Henniker Historical Society and Museum and may not be reproduced without permission.
