Covered Bridge Pen & Ink Sketches Pond Bridge - Brookline, NH Hi.... came across your site and thought I'd let you know... I do pen/ink sketches..... including putting the sketches on the inside of lampshades -so you see them when the light is on.... one bridge I have done is the Pond (or craft) bridge in Brookline, NH (as seen on your site).... and the Turkey Hill bridge from Merrimack, NH..... If you or anyone is interested in learning more about my art, they can contact me by email: bob-tina@adelphia.net or phone: 603-673-6425 in New Hampshire.... Thanks, Tina [Also, see Link Page - Ed.] The New York State Covered Bridge Society Safari visits Vermont May 25, 2004 Hi Joe, The New York State Covered Bridge Society Safari visited the lovely state of Vermont on May 15th and 16th. Here we see some of the 62 people in front of the new Sanderson Bridge in Brandon, Vermont. We all had a great time and even saw the Gorham Bridge under repair. This let the people crawl over and under the bridge to see just how they are built. Sincerely, Dick Wilson NYSCBS at Sanderson Bridge, May 15, 2004 Windsor-Cornish Covered Bridge. Photo by Helga Maguire VCBS Member's Covered Bridge Photo Chosen. Covered bridge clipping shared. Mystery Bridge? April 2004 Dear Mr. Nelson:        I thought you might be interested in an old clipping that was in the Rutland Herald about 1942 or 1943. It is about the "Red Bridge" in Pittsford.        I am also sending an ad of covered bridge checks. I was real pleased to have had one of my photographs chosen.        I enjoy the newsletter very much. It is great so many bridges are being saved. I used to live on Gorham Bridge Road in Proctor.               Yours truly, Helga O. Maguire Cecil Larson, proctor, Wins Painting Award At Show in Chicago (Special to the Herald) Proctor, Feb. 12.-- National recognition of his artistic ability has come to Cecil Larson, artist of this town. His painting "The Red Bridge," which he had sent for the annual exhibition of the Swedish American Artists association, recently held in Chicago, was selected by the com mittees of judges as being the outstanding painting in the show.        The work will be purchased by the association, and sent to Sweden, where it will be shown in a permanent exhibit in the Memorial Art gallery, located near the Swedish capital in Stockholm.        The subject for the picture, is the bridge crossing known as "Sucker Brook," in Fredettsville, a short distance north of Proctor. Peculiarly, Larson's first intimation that he had received this award, came from an admirer, a woman of Maywood, Ill., who wrote a poem, in appreciation of Larson's work, with reference to the painting. The woman had evidently lived or visited in Vermont.        Larson is well known in artistic circles in this state. His exhibit at the Manchester show last year caused considerable favorable comment. He has also exhibited at Stockbridge, Mass., Ogunquit, Me., New York, at Palm Beach, Fla., and Vermont shows. He is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Carl Larson of this town. 4/5/04 Robert: I received the attached news clip from member Helga Maguire. She says that the clipping came from the Rutland Herald " . . . about 1942 or 1943." Do you know what this bridge was? If you do, is there a photo available.? I'd like to develop this for the newsletter. YIB, Joe Nelson 4/6/04 Hello Joe! I did some research for you and found out that the Mysterious Sucker Brook Bridge in Fredetteville is actually the Cooley Bridge (45-11-07). It turns out that the section of Pittsford where the Cooley bridge is located was known by the locals who lived there as Fredetteville. Using information out of the book Pittsford's Second Century 1872-1997, by Davies, Armitage, Blittersdorf, and Harvie, I was able to find two good entries on Fredetteville. The first entry on page 581 reads "Fredette Families: The original settler Peter Fredette, came from Canada and purchased a portion of the original Benj. Cooley farm on Elm St. south of the Cooley Bridge. The whole area of lower Elm St. is known as Fredetteville." A second reference in the back of the book stated, "Fredetteville: Cooley bridge to Gorham bridge area. Several Fredette Families live there."        After solving the Fredettevile mystery this still left the unanswered question about what is the Sucker Brook, for the Cooley crosses the Furnace Brook. I contacted the Pittsford Historical Society and they told me the section of Furnace Brook that the Cooley crosses has been called "Sucker brook" by the locals that live there. This came about because the suckers would "run" up into the brook from the Otter Creek.        I was able to find some information on Cecil Larson in Pittsford and Proctor Cemetery inscriptions Rutland County Vermont, recorded September 1991 by Margaret R. Jenks. "Cecil Larson was born on Feb. 29, 1908. He was a Pvt. in the US Army during WW II. He died on Aug. 10, 1972 at the age of 64, and was buried at South Street Cemetery, Proctor, Vt." I hope this information clears the mystery surrounding the Sucker Brook Bridge. YIB, Bob Cassidy Varak Park, Cambridge, NY Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp, 7/24/03 Buskirk Bridge NY-42-02 Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp, 7/24/03 Papermill Bridge VT-02-03 Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp, 7/25/03 Red Bridge VT-68-11 Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp, 7/25/03 Holmes Creek Bridge VT-04-01 Photo by Chuck & Nancy Knapp, 7/28/03 Chuck & Nancy Knapp Do Vermont . . . and a little of New York Too! Dear Joe,        When Chuck and I were in Vermont this past summer we did some covered bridging, lighthouse looking, and attended a wedding. We found most of the bridges in Vermont that we visited were in very good shape, and we enjoyed looking at them.        We also made a new covered bridge friend, a lady who lives in North Ferrisburgh. We have become good friends and have found we share a lot of the same interests besides bridging. We plan to visit Vermont sometime this summer, our new friends from North Ferrisburgh have invited us up for a weekend of bridging and lighthouse looking which should be fun. Day 1, July 24, 2003 - We visited what the local folk call the "World's Smallest Bridge" in Cambridge, NY. It is a darling little bridge. We also visited the Buskirk Bridge also in Washington County, NY. It was closed to traffic but there were no signs saying that you couldn't walk across it, which we did. Day 2, July ~5, 2003 - After we went to the Old First Church at Bennington, VT we walked around the cemetery and found the grave site of Steven Foster and some of his family. We love to do things like that, love history. Then we went to see the 3 covered bridges there in Bennington before we headed towards Waterbury. Come to find out we had passed the 3 bridges the night before when we were coming into Bennington, but it was raining so hard that it was all we could do is see the road. After we got to Waterbury, and checking into the Old Stage Coach Inn where we spent 2 nights, we were off again to do some more bridging. We saw Emily's Bridge, and the Red Bridge. Day 3, July 26, 2003 - We did no bridging this day, as we attended a wedding. Day 4, July 27, 2003 - Our first stop was at the Spade Farm Bridge, we missed it at first it was raining so hard that we could hardly see road in front of us. We also visited the Sequin Bridge, it was darling, but the people drive crazy through it, also got hit a couple of times. The Quinlan Bridge we found to be in the worst shape of them all. People driving through the bridge seemed a lot more courteous. When we got into Burlington we went to see the bridge at the Shelburne Museum. I was somewhat disappointed that there was no buggies parked in the bridge, we were told there would be. Day 5, July 28,2003 - We drove down along the lake to see the Holmes Bridge (Lake Shore). Chuck and I found it so darling, maybe because of the way it sat down by the lake. The view across Lake Champlain was so beautiful looking in to New York State. Day 6, July 29, 2003 - We went to see the Jay, NY covered bridge before starting for home. Chuck and I were saddened to see this beautiful old bridge just sitting along side the road, getting vandalized. Every time we would go up the Lake Placid area we would always make it a point to go over to visit this beautiful old bridge. We did some lighthouse looking on our way home, at the lighthouse at Crown Point, NY we got rained on again.        Happy Bridging and Happy Spring, if it ever gets here.               Chuck & Nancy Knapp

Bulgaria's Lovech Bridge

Taftsville Bridge, Taftsville, Vt. [45-14-05] Photo by Richard St Peter, September, 2003

Christmas Covered Bridge, Alaska

I've received a couple of news items from different members recently that I thought you might be interested in.

1. The Jack's Mountain Bridge in Adams Co. was the victim of a hit & run accident on Dec. 10 or 11th. Don't know the extent of the damage. Also apparently it was earlier hit by a snow plow as well. The member who reported this didn't want to be identified as she works with the township involved.
2. The Brownlee Bridge in Washington County has been removed! Earl Weygandt a new member went looking for it recently and couldn't find it. He made several calls to find out what happened to it and got nowhere. He called me and I suggested he call the Washington Co. Planning Commission.
   Finally a few days later I got a note from Earl that he finally talked to a man named Vince in the Washington Co. Bridge Dept. and he told him East Finley Twp. could not get their snow plows through it so they made a new road around it and the County removed the bridge. It is supposed to be saved and relocated to a park or trail setting. Don't know why they wouldn't just leave it there in place until plans were more definite for it. I will try to find out more about it when I can.

We have a light coating of snow here in New Castle this Christmas morning with the prediction of up to 2 inches by evening. Do take care and have a Happy Holiday Season.               Sincerely, Tom 12/25/03

Bulgaria's Only Covered Bridge!

Lovech Covered Bridge, Bulgaria. Photo by Tom Keating, 1993

December 25, 2003 - Hello Joe: I was going thru my files and found these pictures taken by me, in 1993, of the only covered bridge in Bulgaria. It is located in Lovech, a small town in central Bulgaria. It is not listed in the World Guide, so I guess it's not authentic. The top picture is the bridge, the middle is the bridge entrance, and bottom is the inside view of the gable window. The bridge has various shops inside and is not open to cars.
       Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
       Tom Keating

Treenails Wanted!
November 26, 2003 - The Bondville Fair, located at the foot of Stratton Mountain in Southern Vt., is interested in constructing a Town lattice bridge on the Fairgrounds and needs some help. The bridge will be in keeping with an area which is devoted to "the old" - a sugar house, one room school, etc. We do have plans, but we have no one among our membership (including the writer) who is willing to chop out a ton of wooden pegs. Do you know of any place from which they may be obtained? Any info you can give will be sincerely appreciated.
       The Bondville Fair is the oldest continuous fair in Vermont. A good deal of expansion has taken place over the last eight years to make for a better fair for our attendees. Located where we are at the foot of Stratton Mountain many fair-goers are weekenders who come from the New York City - New Jersey - Southern Connecticut area, most of whom can now visit a both a sugar house and a one room school, for the first time in their lives. We have a Pathway of Prominent People and Places in Vermont leading to this "antique" area which has 40 4'x8' signs which tell the story of Vermont from Sam Champlain to the Battle of Bennington, to Chet Arthur to Cal Coolidge to Carleton Fiske.
       My wife and I have photographed all of the covered bridges inVermont, including some no longer in existence (Twigg-Smith, first Paper Mill, first Power House in Johnson, etc.) yet we did not propose the bridge. When a member did, I jumped at the chance to include it in our 2003-04 capital outlay budget. It will be at the head of the Pathway. We are proposing a 24' bridge. It will be strictly a walking bridge and will be 8' high. We chose Town lattice as Euclid Farnham assures me that it is the easiest to construct by volunteers with limited skills assisted by professional carpenters. Construction will begin in late April and end in time for the 2004 Fair in August.
       There is no water to span at the present time but the Pathway runs along the Winhall River. We are currently debating trenching beneath the bridge area to run water from the river on a re-circulating basis. (One of our members suggested laying a garden hose beneath it "so people could say they walked over water." This suggestion was not accepted!) We know that the new Mill bridge in Tunbridge was drawn into place by oxen and a capstan. It would be great if we could duplicate. We'll have to wait to see.
       I will be very happy to send you photos of progress of construction when it begins as well as scenes from the completed project. Thanks again for your help. Sincerely, Bob Vail

December 1, 2003 - Tim Andrews is a source of "Trunnels." Tim's Email address is bbofne@metrocast.net He has other sources if he cannot do himself. Hope that this helps.               Dick Roy

November 28, 2003 - Bob - I would go to a timber broker - the one I routinely use is Tom Albert, who works out of the Pittsburgh area. His phone is (888)366-1447. He will be able to get them out of a number of areas, but probably the northwest. Plan on some time for kiln drying.               Good luck, Phil Pierce, P.E.

Interest in Bridges Yields Covered Bridge Mailbox

Swift River Bridge. Photo by Tim Turner, November, 2003

Hi Joe,
I have always been interested in bridges growing up and the first design exposure I had was in college in a strength of materials class. The task was to build a truss out of raw sheet metal to hold 100 lbs. I chose a Parker truss to build and found all the tension and compression members. From there I found all the loads on the members using the pin method and then calculated the width of each member. The bridge went together well and held the 100 lbs. Fine. It was a very rewarding project.
       Years later I started to notice covered bridges and thought to myself how rewarding a job that must have been to the engineers, designers and builders at the time. I built a post and beam model of a "x-truss" covered bridge just to have over the mantle in my house. I feel it is a nice conversation piece. I then wondered if other people would like to have a covered bridge. I decided instead of a model on a mantle, to have the bridge functional for people. If it had a function, more people might find it more attractive. I decided to model the mailbox bridge after actual bridges. I picked two styles to begin, the Swift River bridge in Conway Village, New Hampshire and the Jackson Honeymoon Bridge in Jackson, New Hampshire. I picked these two because they share a lot of similarities: They both are Paddleford trusses and look very similar except for colors, end caps and side skins. I am a mechanical engineer by trade and always enjoyed working with wood. This project took a lot of research, skill and resources to build.
              Timothy Turner

Jackson Honeymoon Bridge. Photo by Tim Turner, November, 2003	Tim Turner Workshop. Photo by Tim Turner, November, 2003

[For more about Tim's mail boxes, go to the index page and click on Market Place.]

The Original Upper Sheffield Bridge Photographed
November 2, 2003 - Joe, Nice to see Tom Keating's recent photo of the new Upper Sheffield covered bridge. I only had one opportunity to photograph the 1833 original, and this came late in the day on 28 May 1994. Once again I had B&W film in the camera as I traveled north on US Rt.7, though I'm not disappointed with the results. I'm pleased to share a couple of shots of the original structure with Mailbag readers.
       I believe several young men were apprehended for the arson of the historical bridge. I recall their "excuse" was that they were under the influence of some substance or other. Better this lead to additional charges than the more normal sympathy and rehabilitation our society offers these miscreants.
              Regards, Tom Hildreth

Upper Sheffield covered bridge [21-02-01] Photo by Tom Hildreth, May, 1994	Upper Sheffield covered bridge [21-02-01] Photo by Tom Hildreth, May, 1994

[Many thanks, Tom, for preserving this historic bridge with your photography and sharing with us. Yes, something has to be done to deter certain members of our society from destroying our heritage. If anyone reading this has ideas on the subject, or would like to form a group to pursue solutions, please write: VCBS, Attn: Deter, PO Box 97, Jeffersonville, VT 05464-0097. Yours in Bridging, Joe Nelson]

Massachusetts' Upper Sheffield Bridge Visited

Upper Sheffield Bridge, Sheffield, Ma. Photo by Tom Keating, Sept., 2003

Sept 1, 2003 - Hello Joe: My wife and I went to Connecticut to look for covered bridges, trains and trolleys. We passed thru Sheffield, Mass., and saw a covered bridge sign. I have attached a scan of it. This bridge replaces the one that was destroyed by arson in 1994. There is an interpretative sign which states that the original bridge was the oldest covered bridge in Mass. Your newsletter had an article about Mass. covered bridges this winter which mentioned the arsoning of this bridge, but not it's replacement. It is open to pedestrians only. We also went to four cb's in Connecticut. (the cb in Kent Falls State Park is not authentic).
              Yours in bridging, Tom Keating
[The original Upper Sheffield Bridge 21-02-01 was built in 1832 using the Town truss to cross the Housatonic River, 93 feet in length - Ed.]

"Romantic Shelter" Lost near Chester, Vt.

Private Bridge, Chester, Vt. Photo by Dick Wilson, 1997

August 25, 2003 - When at camp, we visited Chester. We took Route 11 between Londonderry and Chester. Along that route, there was a private covered bridge right off the main road that went to a private home. We found that the bridge had been washed away three weeks ago in a flash flood. We found the truss and roof washed downstream and destroyed. Only the abutments are left and the people can't get to their home. I never knew the name of the bridge, but we saw it every time we went to Chester.
       It was built in the early 1990's, so it would not be in the guide to Romantic Shelters. It was located in North Windham. In the Vermont Atlas, Map 11. Follow Route 11 to north Windham. Just below the route 11 sign, is a small drive way. That's where the bridge was located. One half of the sign on the side of the bridge says Londonderry, the other half says Windham. The bridge was on the town line, as you can see in the Atlas. I photographed it in the Spring of 1997.
              Dick Wilson

Alfred Hitchcock's Bridge
June 13, 2003

Mystery Bridge. Photo provided by Nandor Bokor, June 13, 2003

Dear Mr. Nelson, My name is Nandor Bokor, I'm from Hungary. I found your website on the Internet. I thought that maybe you could help me in my problem.
       My hobby is visiting Hitchcock locations, and this fall I would like to go to Vermont to visit locations from The Trouble With Harry (1956). In one of the scenes a covered bridge is shown (see enclosed frame). I understand that there are more than a hundred such bridges in Vermont. Could you please identify this one, and tell me where it is?
       Thanks a lot in advance, Nandor Bokor

Dear Panel of Experts: Can we help Nandor with this? My first guess is the Worrall Bridge in Rockingham because, when the photo is blown up, there appears to be a wooden ramp at the entry, peculiar to that bridge. also, the portal is rounded. However, the gable ends in the Worrall are extended, not apparent in this photo. YIB, Joe Nelson

June 16, 2003 Before seeing the photo, I would have said Worrall too because of the wooden ramp Joe mentions (which doesn't really show up on my screen). I offer these thoughts on why it might not be Worrall:
       As pictured, the setting is wrong for the Worrall bridge--the lay of the land is wrong unless the photo is reversed. If, as seen, that hill doesn't rise up on the right (the junk yard is on that spot assuming, though, it was not there at the time of the shooting of the movie). However, if the photo is reversed, the hill would be correct relative to the wooden ramp which, for the elevations of the bridge, is only on the entry opposite the hill.
       However, if the photo is reversed, the hill might be OK; but I think it is a little close to the bridge. Isn't there now a small residence tucked in before the hill? It could have been there in 1956. The distant landscape is correct.
       The Worrall bridge longer that this one; but it could be the angle of the photo.
       I am basing my thoughts heavily on the hill pictured. It must be reckoned with for the identity of this bridge setting. My thoughts for now; I look forward to what the rest of you think. I will give thought to alternatives. - Irene Barna

June 15, 2003 Joe, The GOK (Gosh only knows) that you are inquiring about is the C. K. Smith of Gifford Bridge in Randolph, Orange County., Vermont. WGN 45-09-03. Some of the earliest photos of this bridge, I have, were taken in the 1950's. I believe that it is still there. Hope this helps. Dick Roy

Hyde Bridge [WGN 45-0903] . Photo by Dick Wilson

June 17, 2003 Hi Joe and all, This is my case for the Hitchcock bridge being the Hyde or South Randolph Covered Bridge. The photo is very old, so it shows the bridge more in the open than the latter photo. Also, the picture is not very clear, but I can see the siding, and it is the same in both pictures. I don't see the ramp that Joe see's. Dick Wilson

June 17, 2003 I'll agree to that one--the hill, the farm right where it is, the round portal. (There are always cows standing around in the stream at that bridge--every post card....) One feature I have always found outstanding about the East Randolph bridge is that the siding has a horizontal seam. Kind of like 8' lengths of wood have been used necessitating shorter pieces end-to-end on those. That seam does show up in a resolution small enough on this laptop. Irene.

June 17, 2003 Dear Panel: I agree that the mystery bridge is the Hyde, or South Randolph Bridge (WGN 45-09-03) off Route 14. Joe N.

June 18, 2003 Dear Joe, Thanks a lot for your (and your friends') wonderful help! I really don't know how to express my gratitude!
       Actually, I didn't receive any of your expert colleague's forwarded emails saying it was Hyde Bridge (so I only know it from your message), I only received Irene Barna's email a few days ago, and another one from Ed Barna. If you still have the others on your computer, could you forward them to me? I would really love to read them. Thanks again, Nandor

Swanton Railroad Bridge. Photo by Tom Hildreth, February 21, 1983