Vermont Covered Bridges

by sheilamarie

Vermont has the highest number of covered bridges per square mile in the U.S. Vermont covered bridges are lovely to look at and they are steeped in history.

Have you ever seen a Vermont covered bridge?

Scroll down this page to see images of covered bridges in the state of Vermont and to read a little about their history.

This page was written before Hurricane Irene destroyed or damaged so many covered bridges in Vermont. Read it as a tribute to what has been lost and to remind yourself of the cost of maintaining our heritage.

Vermont Covered Bridge in Autumn

The Glory of a Vermont Fall Never Fails to Charm
Autumn Leaves Surrounding Cilley Covered Bridge, Vermont

Covered Bridges in Vermont

A Step into History

Per square mile, there are more Covered Bridges in Vermont than in any other state in the U.S. Residents in Vermont cherish their covered bridges, not minding the way a driver has to slow down and often wait for an oncoming car to travel through the bridge first. 

When I lived in Vermont, I sometimes went out of my way to cross a covered bridge on my way to and from work. I even remember one occasion when the covered bridge was closed for repairs and the wide detour I had to take made me late! My employer was not impressed with my excuse, but I often chose to go that way again, though usually on my way home!

In Vermont, as elsewhere, covered bridges were built in the days when horse and buggy was the main form of transportation. People had a different sense of time and movement than we do today. Sometimes it's fun to slow down our own lives and think about what it would have been like to live when the roads were full of horses and people moving on foot. Visiting covered bridges in Vermont or other places helps us do just that.

Have You Ever Been on a Covered Bridge in Vermont?

Vermont Covered Bridges Are Still in Use
  Display results
I used to live near some of these!

Why So Many Covered Bridges in Vermont? And Why Are They Covered in the First Place?

Good Question!

Covered bridges were built with a roof for one very good reason -- weather! Because in the 1800's bridges were built mostly with wood, and because Vermont experiences challenging weather during the long cold winter, bridges were built with a roof to keep the snow off the crossing surface.

This minimized problems with horses and drivers sliding off into the river, but the main reason they were covered was to protect the wooden structure itself. If a bridge had to withstand heavy packs of snow each year, not only would it become impassible for long stretches, but the weight of the snow and the tendency of the wood to rot would mean that the bridge would have to be replaced often, costing a lot of moola.

Builders were not just trying to build an attractive structure. They were using their ingenuity to solve the problems of travel in their day.

What Do You Think -- Are Covered Bridges Still Useful?

Or Are They Just Museum Pieces?
Only logged-in users are allowed to comment. Login
Yes, they still have a purpose!
evelynsaenz on 01/01/2014

Covered bridges are beautiful and are quite useful on less traveled roads.

Frank on 07/02/2013

The town of Bennington has more covered bridges than any other in VT

Pastiche on 06/23/2011

Covered bridges are still useful and they're part of our history and cultural heritage.

jaktraks on 06/19/2011

I would hate to see them go.

Kathleen Cuddy on 06/13/2011

I can't wait to see them when I go to Vermont in August.

Maureen M Thurnauer on 06/13/2011

They are wonderful!

WhiteOak50 on 06/12/2011

I love taking photos of covered bridges. Around this area they have rebuilt several which make them useful. However, there are a few that are very old and not usable the way they currently are. Since I love covered bridges so much, I believe they could be useful in the country and not so much in the city.

The Longest Covered Bridge in the United States

Covered Bridge Between Windsor, VT, and Cornish, NH

The longest covered bridge in the U.S. crosses the Connecticut River between Windsor, VT, and Cornish, NH. This covered bridge, which stretches 449 feet, is also the longest two-span covered bridge in the world. It was built in 1866 for the whopping fee of $9000. Built as a toll bridge, the Cornish-Windsor covered bridge was bought by the State of New Hampshire in 1936 and was made toll-free in 1943.

There is still a sign that hangs over the bridge that says, "Walk Your Horses or Pay Two Dollars Fine." That sign itself conjures to mind some of the ruckus that must have erupted in the days when horses met each other inside the dark covered bridge, along with pedestrians and maybe even a bicycle or two.

Vermont Covered Bridge Gift Ideas

VT Covered Bridge Postcard, Magnet, and Mug

To Cross a Covered Bridge, You Often Had to Pay a Toll

How Much Did It Cost to Cross the River Through a Covered Bridge?

In the 1800's, people often had to pay a toll to cross a covered bridge. Tolls were used to defray the costs of building and maintaining the covered bridges.

This is a list of what you would expect to pay to cross over the river by covered bridge:

  • A man on foot                                                1 cent
  • A man on horseback                                     4 cents
  • A one-horse carriage                                    10 cents
  • A carriage drawn by more than one horse  20 cents
  • Cattle                                                               1 cent, driver free
  • Sheep or swine                                              1/2 cent, driver free

Information credit from the Vermont Life Magazine webpage.

In 2011, Hurricane Irene Caused Flooding in Vermont

Three Bridges Collapsed While Others Were Damaged

Video Clip of a Covered Bridge Collapsing During the Flood in Vermont
The video clip is short, but Fox News interviews the woman who filmed the collapse, too.

Find Vermont Covered Bridges

Lists of Vermont Covered Bridges and Where to Find Them

Virtual Vermont Covered Bridges

Photographs and historical information about Vermont covered bridges.

List of Covered Bridges in Vermont
Wikipedia list of Vermont's covered bridges. Gives exact location, span, date of construction, and other tidbits of information.

Updated: 04/21/2016, sheilamarie
 
Thank you! Would you like to post a comment now?
15

Comments

Only logged-in users are allowed to comment. Login
sheilamarie on 01/17/2017

There's a sign like that on the Windsor, VT, to Cornish, NH., bridge: Walk Your Horses or Pay Two Dollars Fine.

Snaggletooths on 01/17/2017

I meant NH or VT area... thanks

Snaggletooths on 01/17/2017

I am trying to find information on a white sign I have that reads "Walk your horses $10 fine" in black lettering. Thinking it is from the NH or CT area.... any information would be greatly appreciated.

sheilamarie on 01/02/2014

I've crossed that Tunbridge bridge, too, Evelyn. Thanks for your comment!

evelynsaenz on 01/01/2014

I often drive across the covered bridge in Dummerston and occasionally cross covered bridges in Tunbridge or Williamsville. As a child I remember driving through the covered in Townshend. It is now closed to traffic but you can still walk across it which I do every chance I get.

sheilamarie on 03/21/2012

Thanks for all your comments! I hope those of you who haven't yet had the chance will get to cross those wooden structures someday. It is a little bit like stepping into the past.

TerriRexson on 06/26/2011

I love little bits of history like this. I've never visited Vermont but now I know what to look out for if I do!

Pastiche on 06/23/2011

There's a covered bridge I cross between Brandon and VT Rt 30 to get to my daughter's house in Hubbardton. It's one lane wide, and you need to slow down to look ahead to see if there's someone crossing before you venture across. Love it.

jaktraks on 06/19/2011

It never occurred to me people might have to pay a toll. Interesting.

theherbivorehippie on 06/19/2011

You know....I was simply devastated that I didn't win the HGTV Dream Home in Stowe. One of the reasons I fell in love with the area was the pictures of these bridges! They're just so charming and inviting. Love them!


You might also like

Hurricane Results in New Interstate Exit

What happens when a hurricane like Irene wipes out the entrances to the bridg...

Royalton Bed and Breakfast in Vermont

Vermont is a delightful place to stay for the weekend. Come stay at Evelyn's ...


Disclosure: This page generates income for authors based on affiliate relationships with our partners, including Amazon, Google and others.
Loading ...
Error!