pastnews.notes4

      Robert Cassidy was given a certificate of appreciation and a covered bridge picture at the Annual (Rutland Historical Society) Meeting for his valuable contributions to the Society.
      Robert became a member of the Society in 1994 while a high school student. In 2002 he became a Life Member. Upon graduation from high school he became a member of the Vermont Air National Guard. In the meantime Robert has nearly completed a degree in history at Castleton State College
      Robert has served both his country and the Society with distinction. He was involved with lighting for exhibits at the Society and shoveled snow from the Society walks on many a cold day. Between juggling college and his Air Guard activities, Robert has served as a member of the Society's Board of Directors for four years from 2001 to 2005 and has worked at the Society's exhibits at the Vermont History Expo on numerous occasions.
      Robert has become a local and statewide covered bridge expert. He was the chief designer of a recent Rutland covered bridge exhibit at the Society that was also shown at the 2005 Vermont History Expo.
      Often people say, "I don't have time". Robert is a wonderful example of "I can make time" for a community need.
[This item is from >i Rutland Historical Society newsletter. Our thanks to Irene Barna for forwarding the article and to Jim Davidson for permission to post it. Robert Cassidy is also a Life Member of the Vermont Historical Society and we appreciate him too. - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Depot Bridge, Pittsford, Vt.[45-11-06] VAOT Photo, December, 2005

Pittsford, Vt., December 23, 2005 -Joe: Depot CB has been restored to its previous shape and appearance. It is open to traffic. Judging from the roof boarding inside the west end, I estimate that a good many square feet of the roof slate shingles had to be replaced or reset in that area - quite a job. I was at the site yesterday. John Weaver
[The Depot Bridge [45-11-06] swallowed a dump truck with raised body last June. See "Index" this site for story. -Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Montgomery, Vt., December 18, 2005 - Joe, I Read in the latest VCBS newsletter about the money for the West Hill/Creamery Bridge. First we had heard of it but we contacted the state and they confirmed the news. Don't expect the work to begin for a couple of years but at least the money's there.

Also met with Hoyle/Tanner and State AOT just before Thanksgiving at the Hutchins Bridge. Hoyle Tanner is doing the engineering study and the State expects restoration/repair work to begin in the spring.

Hectorville Bridge is still in storage and is likely to remain so until at least next fall. Work will hopefully begin on the it's likely site near where the water treatment facility will be built next summer.

Longley Bridge took some damage recently. At least one of the cross braces has been hit. We will follow up with the State.

All for now, Happy Holidays, Scott Perry.

Return to table of contents

Johnny Esau Bridge, May 2004

Marlboro, Vt. - School teacher Johnny Esau's fourth-grade class at the Marlboro Elementary School built a lattice truss covered bridge, five-feet wide, 15-feet long, after the style of the Silk Road Bridge in Bennington, Vt.
       Esau has taught his classes about covered bridges throughout his 25-year career, using the bridges to teach his students their required subjects, including architecture, and history. The students built toothpick models to learn the science and physics of structural loading. Esau and his class have traveled throughout Vermont looking at bridges while exploring Vermont geography.
       Esau had wanted to build a bridge that people could walk through. His ambition was finally realized in his last year before his retirement. His students began building the bridge during the schools winter sessions. In May, 2004, the students began to lay out the more than one-hundred pieces of the bridge on the school grounds. With the help of parents and community members, the bridge was assembled.
      "It's amazing," said Esau. "I looked at what we accomplished. It's so sweet."
[This article based on a, article from the May 5, 2004 edition of the Brattleboro Reformer, written by Howard Weiss-Tisman. Our thanks to Johnny Esau for forwarding the clipping. - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

September, 2005, Zumbrota, Minnesota - Formed in 1964 to preserve Zumbrota's covered bridge, the Zumbrota Covered Bridge Society has disbanded due to lack of interest, said Society member Charley Buck in a Post Bulletin article by reporter John Weiss.
       "I'm sorry to tell you that we have disbanded as of September," wrote Alma Swanson, society president, in a letter to the Vermont Covered Bridge Society. "I feel bad about this as I started the society in 1964, we could not get help, no one would take any office so there was no alternative but to fold up . . . We always had such a nice time when we got together . . . we would have 30 people at a meeting, but so many have passed away and no young people to support us."
       Quoting from the Post Bulletin article:"'No one pays attention to it,' Buck said."
       "The society formed to care for the old bridge, the only original covered bridge in the state. The city now owns it and is caring for it. The society has about $2,000 left and will divide that between the city and the local historical society."
       "The city plans to put on a new coat of red paint . . . because of the town's 150th anniversary in 2006 . . ."
       According to the 1989 edition of the World Guide to Covered Bridges, published by the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, the 120-foot bridge, WGN 23-25-01, was built in 1869 using a lattice truss variation.
       According to the Post Bulletin article, the bridge was to be burnt in 1932, it being too narrow for cars. The town saved it and moved it to the county fairgrounds. It was moved again in 1970 to the Covered Bridge Park. Then in 1997, "the bottom wood began to rot." (The lower chords?.) The bridge was repaired and put back over the river.
      [Our thanks to Alma Swanson for her letter and sending us the Post Bulletin clipping. - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Blenheim, NY, August 23, 2005 -The Blenheim Covered Bridge will be celebrating its 150th birthday on Saturday, September 10th. Please join local residents in the celebration of this historic event. Celebration plans include a parade, machine expo and a craft and bake sale. Refreshments will also be available. And be sure to plan on staying for the fireworks later that evening at the Power Authority. Please join us for another exciting Covered Bridge event.
[This item forwarded by Trish Kane - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Hunsecker's Mill Bridge - PA-36-05 #2 Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp, May 17, 2005

Return to table of contents

BUSKIRK, 7/26/05 -1850's-era covered Buskirks Bridge rebuilt and in use again. See Times Union Story by Bob Gardinier: timesunion.com

[Thanks Trish Kane for forwarding this article - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Sonestown Bridge - PA-57-03. Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp May 18, 2005

Sullivan County, Pa. May 17, 2005 - The Sullivan County commissioners want to reinforce the abutments of the Sonestown Covered Bridge threatened by the Muncy Creek.
       Last September the Muncy Creek, with its shifting channels, washed away a dwelling located 150 to 200 feet upstream from the bridge.
       While the bridge and its abutments have not yet been damaged, because of the instability of the creek bed it is probable that they will be, the commissioners agree.
       The bridge, which is located off U.S. Route 220 in Davidson Township, was built circa 1850. It crosses Muncy Creek in a single 110-foot span using a Burr Truss. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
       The commission advertised for bids on a project to reinforce the abutments of the bridge. Rexer's Drilling and Concrete of Dushore bid $9,250, the only company bidding.
       The commission accepted Rexer's bid June 29, contingent on a successful review by the county's engineering firm, CECO Associates Inc. of Scranton.
       The contract requires the installation of rip-rap to prevent scouring of the abutments and to install fill. The work must be complete by August 15.
[This article based on an article in the The Daily & Sunday Review of Towanda, Pennsylvania, by James Loewenstein. The complete story can be read at http://www.thedailyreview.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14804386&BRD=2276&PAG=461&dept _id=465049&rfi=8 - Our Thanks to Nancy Knapp for forwarding the story - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

May 21, 2005 - The Comstock Covered Bridge has been closed by Connecticut's Department of Transportation due to concerns about structural problems.
       The DOT determined to close the bridge in April to all pedestrian traffic.
       Town Manager Alan Bergren said a number of issues have been raised with regard to the closing of the bridge. One of these is the question of funding for repairs. DOT officials have not as yet established a bridge repair plan and state funding to make the improvements is in doubt. Town funds may have to be used, he said.
       The Comstock Bridge is one of three covered bridges remaining in Connecticut. The bridge is remarkable among eastern covered bridges in that the eastern section, unroofed, is a wooden pony truss.
       Until the bridge was closed it had served pedestrian traffic crossing the Salmon River. It spans 80 feet, connecting East Hampton and Colchester.
       Built in 1873 using the Howe Truss, it was constructed to link Colchester and Middletown, now it is part of the Salmon River State Forest.
       In the 1930s the bridge underwent the first in a series of renovations. General repairs were made to the structure and wooden gates and new siding were added. The bridge was renovated again in the 1970s with steel gusset plates to reinforce the original wooden joints. The bridge was also added to the National Register of Historic Places and it officially became a part of the state forest. Lights were added in the 1990s.
       In 2003, the whole structure was lifted and the steel plates were replaced with historically accurate wooden supports, this with federal funds.
[Many thanks to Kathleen Havranek for sharing the news clipping on which this item was based - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Blenheim Bridge 32-48-01 and bypass Photo by Dick Wilson, June 5, 2005

The bridge that bypassed the Blenheim bridge in 1932 is now being replaced by another bridge that comes real close to the covered bridge. A new roof is being installed on the covered bridge. Here is a picture of the three bridges taken June 5. 2005 - Dick Wilson

Return to table of contents

June 4, Lee County. Al - The Salem-Shotwell covered bridge in east Lee County, Alabama, WGN 01-41-04, collapsed today. A tree fell on a portion of the bridge last night and then today around 1:00 pm/cdst, the entire bridge fell into Wacoochee creek. The destruction is total.

According to the 1989 edition of the World Guide To Covered Bridges, the 78-foot bridge was built in 1900 to span the Wacoochee Creek using a Town lattice truss. The Salem-Shotwell Bridge was one of Alabama's 14 remaining wooden covered bridges.
[This news item originated with Jay Jones and forwarded thru Dan Brock - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Now available! Les ponts couverts au Quebec, the first complete book about wooden covered bridges in Quebec. 216 pages, hard cover, over 200 pictures, black & white and color. Many never seen. Maps, data and pictures for all historic existing bridges. In French.
Most of the book was written by Gerald Arbour, former President of Quebec's Covered Bridge Society (SQPC), one chapter written by Jean Lefrançois, a DOT officer. This book is a Quebec's Department of Transportation project. Edited by the Government printer.

	How to order : Bookstore : Renaud-Bray, in Montreal. English spoken. Toll free number : 1-888-746-2283 ext.227. Payment : credit cards only. Delivery ; ± 15 days. Price : $34.95can. No taxes. Shipping : $7 can. + $2 for each additional book, no matter the weight. ISBN : 2-551-19636-1. This number refers to the exact title of the book. You'll avoid many questions by using this number.

Return to table of contents

Return to table of contents

Cambridge, NY February 24, 2005 - The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the contract for ongoing repairs to the Buskirk Covered Bridge adding $102,000.
       The increase was said to be due to construction delays and additional inspections. To date the cost of the reconstruction of the historic bridge spanning the Hoosic River is $2.5 million nearly twice the original estimate of $1.3 million.
       Area residents are reported frustrated with the costs and delays. The bridge has been closed for two-and-a-half years and is not expected to open until late May, 2005. The delays were caused by efforts to preserve the bridge rather than replace it with a modern span. Also, instead of a projected carrying capacity of 17 tons, the renewed bridge will be limited to 7 tons despite the replacement of 90 percent of the bridge's original fabric with new material.
       The bridge repairs were funded by Federal and state grants meant to repair all three of the Washington County covered bridges, the Rexleigh, Eaglrville, and the Buskirk. However the funds were exhausted on the Buskirk Bridge, it being most in need of work
[Our thanks to Dick Wilson for forwarding the clipping from the Feb. 24 edition of The Eagle on which, in part, this report is based -Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Pepperell, Ma., February 25, 2005 - Quotes writer Paul MacDonald in his Pepperell Free Press article: "Construction is expected to be completed with 18 months of commencement," was the word from Mass Highway project manager Michael O'Dowd as the length of time required to replace the covered bridge over the Nashua River on Groton Street." The cost of the reconstruction is estimated to be $2.1 million.
       Writes MacDonald: "O'Dowd was speaking at the Design Public Hearing for the bridge replacement project held Feb. 17 at Town Hall. With the design anticipated to be completed by this fall and bids going out shortly thereafter, construction could begin in March 2006 with completion in the fall of 2007."
       Popularly known as the Groton Street Bridge, the 108-foot Chester H. Waterous Bridge [WGN 21-09-01#2] was built in 1963 using a Pratt Truss variation. It replaced two earlier bridges, the first built in 1742, the second, the Nehemiah Jewett Bridge, built in 1818.
       For the complete article, go to http://www.pepperellfreepress.com/stories/0,1413,109~5517~2731901,00.html
[Our thanks to Patricia Kane for forwarding this article - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Charlemont, Ma. , February 27, 2005 - Writes Trudy Tynan, Associated Press: "Folks here hold an abiding fondness for the old interlocked timbers -- so much so that for the second time in a century, they banded together to beat back attempts to replace it with steel and concrete.
       "Only a handful of covered bridges remain in Massachusetts. But after generations of trying to replace them, state engineers are now pondering ways to save the most threatened of the state's historic structures.
       "The standoff in Charlemont -- the state owns the bridge, but the town controls the river crossing -- lasted for 14 years before state engineers agreed this winter that it could be repaired using wood and a few steel strengthening bars.
       "Although it is one of the state's newest -- built in 1950 after a brisk round of skirmishing between earlier residents and state engineers to replace an 1880 homemade covered bridge -- the unique design of the Bissell Bridge's truss work has earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places."
       The 92-foot Bissell Bridge [WGN 21-06-04#2] crosses Mill Brook using a Long Truss variation. The bridge is found on Rte. MA8A north of the junction with Rte. MA2
       For the complete article, go to http://www.milforddailynews.com
[Our thanks to Patricia Kane for forwarding this article - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

East Rockhill, Pa., Jan. 26, 2005 - The Township Supervisors at their Jan. 18 meeting ratified an agreement with Bucks County for the Town to take over Mood's Covered Bridge, allowing PennDot to rebuild. The state-owned wooden bridge was destroyed by arson June 22, 2004.
       Last fall, county and township officials met and agreed the covered bridge should be rebuilt because of its historic significance in Bucks County. PennDOT said it would only replace the span as a covered bridge if another entity would take it over.
       The State will replace the covered bridge then transfer it to the county. The county will assume all major maintenance and repair while the township will handle regular upkeep. The town will form a nonprofit corporation for fund-raising to defray cost of maintenance and an annual insurance premium.
       The design and engineering phase will take about a year in preparation before the work is put out for bids. The construction work is expected to take six months. The cost is estimated to be not less than $500,000.
       The burned Mood's Bridge, [WGN 39-09-07] was built in 1873 using the Town Truss to cross the East Branch of Perkiomen Creek. It was 126 feet long in a single span.
[Our thanks to Doris Taylor for sharing the News-Herald clipping upon which, in part, this report is based - Ed.]

Return to table of contents

Beauséjour Bridge [61-58-01] Photo by André Boulianne, Sept. 2, 2005

Beauséjour Bridge Photo from G. Ruest collection, Jan. 28, 2005

February 13, 2005 - Hi; The former Beauséjour Bridge (61-58-01) has been moved to Amqui. Located in a park, crossing the Matapedia River, the bridge is now opened for foot traffic (14/02/05).

I have not visited the bridge yet, but I saw the bridge before it was moved. The structure was cut with a chainsaw at two points, not dismantled.

The first picture is from A. Boulianne. The second is from G. Ruest collection.

Have a nice day.
                     Gerald Arbour

Return to table of contents

Canyon Bridge Damaged [WGN 45-08-01] Photo by John Borthwick, Feb. 5, 2005

Jeffersonville, February 5, 2005 - Dear Joe; Don't know if you would want this but I visited the Canyon bridge today and noted damage to the NE end. Appears that a truck might have caught the corner. Photo is attached.
                            John Borthwick

Dear John; Thank you very much for the photo and report. I passed it on to the Vermont Covered Bridge Society Bridge-watch folk. When anyone sees damage done to a covered bridge they should please report it. The VCBS will contact the authorities. The licence plate of the perpetrator would be very much appreciated by the Town, the owner of the bridge. Someone will need to pay for the repairs and it shouldn't be the town taxpayers. Your report got the response below.
                            Joe

Hi all; Thanks for the info and the photo. I saw the damage when I was running through the bridge yesterday. I was distressed because it shows gross negligence and lack of any good judgement on the part of a truck driver, and because I'm the bridge watch for this structure, I shall speak with the Cambridge Select Board regarding getting the damage repaired.
                            Thanks, Zeke

Return to table of contents

Return to top