Vermont is home to many covered bridges and some spectacular examples are found in the Killington region. Take a trip down some of Vermont’s scenic back roads to discover historic bridges crossing in intervals over the Otter Creek and other waterways. Covered bridges hold an allure of by-gone days, the romantic association with times before the motorcar rose in popularity. They evoke thoughts of horse-drawn carriages trotting over their wooden floors during an era seen as slower paced and simpler than today.
History of Vermont Covered Bridges
In the eighteen hundreds, the northeastern United States was a country in need of bridges. The population was surging northwards, drawn both by the growth of agriculture and the call of water-powered industrialization. Inland farmers needed overland transport, and that meant fords or bridges.
Luckily, the American northeast was a forest country and wood was a plentiful building material, especially in remote areas where the smaller bridges were needed. The harsh climate of the region, with hot summers and icy winters,was perfect for wooden construction since the freeze-thaw cycle would overturn stone pavings.
But why cover the bridges? Simply, to keep wooden structural frames, known as trusses, dry and free from rot. Covering and roofing them protects them from the weather and extends the life of the bridges.
A Scenic Drive in Killington, Vermont
Killington in Rutland County is home to eight covered bridges. Some are still in use today for vehicular traffic, while others are preserved for viewing and wooing. “Kissing Bridges” is a nickname for covered bridges, as many suitors throughout the years paused in the middle of the bridge to steal a kiss from their beloved.
A popular scenic route for bridge-viewing follows the meandering Otter Creek from Pittsford to Proctor. Start on Route 7 North, taking a left onto Kendall Hill Road. The first bridge is the 1842 Hammond Bridge. It spans 139 feet, and features town lattice construction. This bridge is closed to vehicles, but there is a pull off for parking and is easy to photograph from both sides. During the 1927 flood, this bridge floated off its abutments and ended up in a field over a mile downstream. Townspeople returned the bridge to its spot in the winter of 1927/28.
Turn left onto West Creek Road, and follow to Depot Hill Road. Cross the Otter Creek via Depot Bridge, built in 1853. Also constructed of town lattice construction, it has a span of 121 feet over the creek and adjacent meadows. Follow Depot Hill Road and enter the town of Pittsford and bear right onto Elm Street. Check out the vista of snowy fields on the distant rolling hills while driving down Elm Street to Cooley Bridge, a picturesque little bridge tucked into a tranquil hollow. Less than 60 feet in length, it features extended gables over its portals. This bridge crosses Furnace Brook, which is adjacent to the mighty Otter Creek. Pause for pictures, head down the road to the Gorham Bridge.
One of four covered wood bridges remaining in the town of Pittsford, the Gorham Bridge was built in 1841 by Abraham Owen and Nicholas M. Powers. Powers, who was touted as Vermont's most famous covered bridge builder, served his apprenticeship under Owen. The Gorham Bridge represents a later collaboration of the two master builders. Of the many bridges which Powers built during a career of more than forty years, only the Gorham and two other bridges survive in Vermont.
The Gorham Covered Bridge is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Gorham Bridge serves as a thoroughfare from Pittsford into Proctor. In 1995, the state of Vermont conducted an inspection of the bridge and found numerous weaknesses. Since the bridge, at the time, had estimated vehicle traffic of 600 cars per day with that number expected to increase to 840 by the year 2013, the decision was made to upgrade the existing structure to handle this amount of traffic.
Dotting the Vermont landscape, tourists and locals alike admire the beauty and tranquillity of our covered bridges. Vermont takes steps to preserve these landmarks so that they may be enjoyed for years to come--the covered bridge represents a part of our Vermont past that can never be replaced.
Cathy Miglorie - Cathy Miglorie began writing professionally in 2002. Her writing is based on her work experience in the Vermont marble industry. She ...
