The Albany Bridge is an example of Paddleford truss frames. An authentic bridge is marked by stone foundations, small openings for light (some sides were removed, exposing the trusses, as in the bridge above, as cars began to use the bridges) and tin or metal roofs. Originally, the 19th century bridges were used not only to cross a river or small gorge, but as a means of shelter in a storm and a place for children to play. Bridges near schools and townships sometimes had a walkway built on the side for pedestrians. Vermont boasts of 106 covered bridges, the largest number of bridges in the country.
Located in Lyndon Corner, the bridge has also been known as Sawmill and Whitcomb Bridge. The date of the construction is unknown but the roof was built by W.W. Heath in 1881. It is a Queenpost truss and spans 66 feet. The large overhang was used to protect the openness of the bridge, a style prevalent in Lyndon-area bridges.
This bridge is also located in Lyndon Corner, but unlike the Chamberlin, it is no longer open to traffic. As a new schoolhouse was planned in the mid-1800s, the community members wanted a safe bridge for the children to cross the South Wheelock Branch of the Passumpsic River. After a battle over the cost and quality of the bridge, the bridge was erected in 1879 by J.C. Jones, Lee Goodell and John Clement. It is a Queenpost spanning 42 feet. The bridge has a walkway with walls completely closed in to provide a safe play area for children on stormy days. In the 1927 flood, the bridge tipped up and looked like it would wash down the river. But it withstood the rushing waters and debris, then righted itself and moved back into place as the waters subsided, virtually unharmed.
Miller's Run Bridge was restored completely in 1995 by the townspeople of Lyndon Center. It was in danger of being torn down in the late 1970s because of two fatal accidents from cars making an approach to the single-lane bridge. It is the last Vermont bridge to remain in working order on a state highway (Route 122). It is a Queenpost truss designed by E.H. Stone in 1878, spanning 56 feet over Miller's Run Creek. The view through the bridge is that of Miller's Run.
Built around 1840 by Benjamin Sears, the bridge is a prime example of town lattice trusses, spanning 88 feet over the Walloomsac River. Its original name was Robinson Bridge and was renamed Silk Bridge due to Silk Road that runs through it. Neither the road nor the bridge were named after a silk manufacturing plant, as some visitors to the bridge believe. Although Vermont used to be one of the national centers for textile manufacturing, a silk plant has never been in the area.
This town lattice bridge was built by Charles F. Sears in 1889. Today a popular swimming hole for local teen-agers, the bridge spans 125 feet across the Walloomsac River. The bridge is no longer used as a vehicle or pedestrian crossing due to its dilapidated state. It was named after a 1790s paper mill that was one of the state's first industries. The paper mill manufactured tissue paper, still an industry in the community through another company. The bridge is interesting in that it has parts to the mill's equipment alongside the river.
Built in 1840 and replicated in 1989 by Blow and Cote, Inc., the Henry bridge spans 121 feet across the Walloomsac River. It is an example of town lattice trusses and was named after Elnathan Henry, builder of Henry House, which later became a store and tavern. Henry Bridge is located in the middle of the Irish Corner Historic District, a reflection of a 19th century riverside community. The original bridge was considered one of Vermont's strongest, using tripled lattices so that the ore-ladened wagons from the newly discovered ore beds could cross. The same design was used on railroad trusses throughout the nation. In 1952 during the bridge's repair, engineers discovered that the tripled lattices did not add to the strength, and in fact only added to the weight of the bridge, putting pressure upon the foundation. The extra trusses were removed. In 1989, the bridge was disasembled for repairs, but the timbers were moved mistakenly to another site and a replication of the bridge was built. Today, not one piece of timber from the original bridge remains on the site. The old timbers are still sitting uncovered in a town pile.
To contact the photographer about the photographs on this site or information about the bridges, please e-mail to idjmk@asuvm.inre.asu.edu.
Site created 10/18/96.