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Orange
County, Vermont
(WGN
45-09-09 #2) (WGCB VT-09-09 #2): (1883;
raised higher c. 1970's; destroyed by ice 1999; rebuilt 2000)
A single-span multiple Kingpost truss 74' 5" over the First Branch of the
White River. Located: In Tunbridge, Vermont on Howe Lane.
Directions: Off SR 110 at the southern end of Tunbridge Village Center,
Vermont, 0.1 mile west of SR 110 on Howe Lane. Located in an area
that is subject to flooding, in the 1970's it was raised to a higher elevation.
On March 4,1999, the original 1838 bridge was torn from its abutments by
an ice jam. It was believed the bridge could be rescued from its resting
place on top of the ice. Robert Childs, a local construction expert,
devised a plan and the Tunbridge selectmen gave their approval. However,
before the necessary materials and equipment could be assembled, the ice
shifted and the remains of the bridge were set afire on March 5, 1999 to
protect the downstream covered bridges. The original bridge was built
at a cost of $532.32 and the new bridge required an expenditure of $230,000.
On July 3, 2000, just sixteen months after the structure was lost, the
74' 5" re-creation was pulled into place the “old fashioned way” by four
teams of oxen. The dedication for the new bridge was held on July
22, 2000. Slightly weathered vertical pine boarding covers the sides,
portals and weather panels, open under the eaves for ventilation.
There are three large horizontal window openings
on the downstream side. The floor has 3" lengthwise planking
and its silver painted steel roof and gables project beyond the entrances
to provide additional weather protection for the interior. Also known
as the Hayward and Noble Covered Bridge, the Hayward Covered
Bridge, the Noble Covered Bridge, the Spring Road Covered
Bridge and the Turnbridge Covered Bridge. The original
structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July
30, 1974. (Sep 2004) |
