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Washington
County, Vermont
(WGN
45-12-06) (WGCB VT-12-06): (1890;
new roof c. 1981; moved to dry land 2004) A single-span Queenpost
truss 45' over the Winooski River. Location: NE of Plainfield,
Vermont off US 2 on a farm access road. Directions: 1
mile north of Plainfield, Vermont on US 2 then just to your right.
Although it has a relatively new roof, installed circa 1981, the bridge
had extensive rotting at the ends of the bottom chords along with shifting
of the abutments, and had tilted significantly and was in danger of complete
collapse. On May 18, 2004 a crane lifted the structure off its abutments
and placed it on top of two temporary concrete block supports, on each
corner, in an adjacent field. The bridge was built solely to provide
access to William Martin’s agricultural land on the far side of the river.
It is the only remaining covered bridge in Marshfield, Vermont, and the
only original covered “farm” bridge left in Vermont. A “farm” bridge
is a bridge built solely for agricultural use. The town of Marshfield,
Vermont acquired the bridge and 120 acres of surrounding land in exchange
for $1,321.08 owed in school taxes. Local volunteers have now shifted
their attention to fundraising and making necessary repairs in order to
restore the bridge and establish a small park at the bridge site.
Dark weathered vertical boarding covers its sides and portals, open under
the eves for ventilation. The floor consists of two layers of longitudinal
planking and its roof of gray weathered cedar shingles projects beyond
the entrances to provide additional weather protection for the interior.
A handmade sign on the bridges portal indicates its name as the "Martin
Bridge". It is also known as the Orton Covered Bridge.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 9,
1974. (Sep 2004) |
