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Franklin
County, Vermont
(WGN
45-06-02) (WGCB VT-06-02): (1865;
rehabilitated 1975; extensively rehabilitated 1990-91; repaired 1998; repaired
2002) A single-span Town lattice truss 56' 8" over Mill Brook.
Located: At Fairfax, Vermont off SR 104 on Maple Street. Directions:
From jct. SR 128 and SR 104, take SR 104 0.6 mile north to the center of
Fairfax, Vermont. Then make a left onto Maple Street (it goes downhill
from SR 104) 0.2 mile to the bridge. With an inside clearance of
17', this is one of the widest single-portal covered bridges in Vermont.
When it was replaced on its abutments, after being washed away during the
1927 flood, it was replaced with its east end facing west. Because
of the error, some say, the bridge seems to be leaning. In 1975 the
stone abutments were faced with concrete and a metal roof was laid over
the wooden shingles. Extensive improvements were made in 1990-91.
In 1998, portions of the chords and some lattice members were replaced,
as well as new siding installed on the gables and most of the boards on
the sides were replaced. In 2001, it was severely damaged when a
truck was driven into it. Early in 2002 the northeast portal was
replaced and repairs were made to the truss and upper chord in the northeast
downstream corner; some roof beams were also replaced as well as some steel
roofing and most of the roof boards at the northeast end. Lightly
weathered vertical boards cover the sides and portals and it is open under
the eaves for ventilation. Except for the boards and timbers replaced
in 1998 and 2002, the interior of the structure is painted dark brown.
The floor consists of lengthwise planking with two runners. Also
known as the Village Covered Bridge, the
Lower Covered Bridge,
the Fairfax Covered Bridge, the
Fairfax Village Covered Bridge
and the Mill Brook Covered Bridge. It was listed on
the National Register of Historic Places on November 4, 1974. (Sep
2004) |
