Stretching across rivers and streams, covered bridges recall a time when horse-drawn wagons were the only traffic. Many of these graceful bridges were originally uncovered, and there is an ongoing debate over why the cap was added. The most widely accepted reason for the roof is to protect the wooden trusses from harsh weather. The cap also served to protect a wagonload of travelers from a sudden thunder shower or snow squall, and the walls became a kiosk for advertisements. The covering does not contribute to the strength of the bridge, but the trimmings of the arcs and windows were the part of the construction in which the builder could show his ingenuity.
Take a minute to look at the size of the timbers used in the building of the bridge - some of the enormous logs offer proof of the virgin forest that filled this land with trees taller than 100 feet. Many covered bridges have been replaced by concrete and steel structures to accommodate larger loads. Those that remain are often tucked away along back roads. These bridges are treasured for their simple beauty - a reminder that horses' hooves once clop-clopped along the boards, and the distance from one ban to the next was counted in footfalls.
Barton
Sugar Mill Bridge
Sugarmill Farm
Barton, VT 05822
A historic covered bridge located at the Sugar Mill Farm.
Cabot
A.M. Foster Bridge
Cabot Plains Road
Cabot, VT 05647
A reproduction of the Martin bridge, built in 1988.
Coventry
Orne Covered Bridge
Hermansmith Road
Coventry, VT 05825
Paddleford Truss, built in 1881, is located at the Southeast edge of the village of Coventry.
Danville
Greenbanks Hollow Bridge
Joe's Brook
Danville, TV 05828
Built in 1886, this 74 ft long Queenpost covered bridge crosses Joe's Brook.
Irasburg
Lord Creek Bridge
Route 58
Irasburg, VT 05845
This 1881 Paddleford truss bridge was moved from Lord's Creek in 1958 to a local farmer's field on Rte. 58.
Lemington
Columbia Bridge
Route 102
Lemington, VT 05903
Built in 1911 to replace another bridge destroyed by fire, this 146 Howe truss bridge spans the Connecticut River.
Lunenburg
Mount Orne Bridge AKA Black River Bridge
Route 2
Lunenburg, VT 05906
An 86 foot long Paddleford truss bridge located in Coventry Village in the town of Irasburg.
Lunenburg
Nelson Bridge
River Road
Lunenburg, VT 05906
Northeast of Gilman, Lunenburg Township. River Rd. NE 1.3 miles from jct with Gilman Rd. (Dalton Hill) in Gilman to the bridge
Lyndon
Chamberlin Mill Bridge AKA Burrington Bridge
South Wheelock Road
Lyndon, VT 05851
A Queenpost bridge with distinctive gables, allowing for better driver visibility.
Lyndon
Miller's Run Bridge
Route 122
Lyndon, VT 05851
Totally reconstructed in 1995 using the 1878 Queenpost trusses.
Lyndon
Randall Bridge AKA The Old Burrington
Route 114
Lyndon, VT 05851
Built in 1867, this 68 ft Queenpost bridge has unusually open construction, making it easy to observe the truss structure.
Lyndon
Sanborn Bridge AKA Centre
Junction of Route 5, 122, 114
Lyndon, VT 05851
This beautiful, 120-foot Paddleford bridge was built in 1869.
Montgomery
Creamery Bridge AKA Westhill AKA Crystal Springs
Montgomery, VT 05471
Circa 1883, this little bridge crosses West Hill Brook.
Montgomery
Hectorville Bridge
Montgomery, VT 05471
After serving Gibou Road since the turn of the century, this bridge stands in retirement beside a concrete and steel replacement.
Montgomery
Hutchin's Bridge
Route 118
Montgomery, VT 05471
A quintessential Vermont covered bridge built in 1883. Located in Montgomery.
Montgomery Center
Comstock Bridge
Route 118
Montgomery Center, VT 05471
The Comstock Bridge crosses the Trout River and provides alternate access to Rte 118 for a few homes.
Montgomery Center
Fuller Bridge AKA Black Falls
Main Street
Montgomery Center, VT 05471
The Fuller Bridge, or Black River Bridge, stands in the heart of Montgomery Village and is very much a part of village life.
Montgomery Center
Longley Bridge AKA Harnois AKA Head
Route 118
Montgomery Center, VT 05471
The Longley Bridge stands crisp and clean, with new deck, roof, and siding.
Troy
River Road Bridge AKA School House Bridge
Route 101
Troy, VT 05868
This 1910 town lattice covered bridge spans 92 ft over the Mississquoi river.
Wolcott
Fisher Bridge
Route 15
Wolcott, VT 05680
This 1908 covered bridge carried trains across the Lamoille River using doubled town lattice trusses.
