Bartonsville Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bartonsville Covered Bridge
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The Northeast approach to the Bartonsville bridge, March 28, 2006 prior to its destruction
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bartonsville, Vermont |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | Granger, Sanford |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000201 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1973 |
The Bartonsville Covered Bridge is a special wooden bridge in Bartonsville, Vermont. It crosses the Williams River. This bridge is 151 feet long. It helps cars on Lower Bartonsville Road get across the river.
The bridge you see today was built in 2012. It replaced an older bridge from 1870. That first bridge was very important. It was even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sadly, a big flood from Hurricane Irene destroyed the old bridge in 2011.
Contents
History of the Bartonsville Bridge
Building the First Bridge
The first Bartonsville Covered Bridge was built in 1870. It was needed after a huge flood in 1869. That flood changed where the river flowed. The new bridge replaced an even older one. That older bridge was about a quarter-mile away.
The 1870 bridge was very special. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important places in American history. The bridge was located on Lower Bartonsville Road. This is a paved road near Vermont Route 103. Another covered bridge, the Worrall Covered Bridge, is nearby. It was also built by Sanford Granger.
Repairs and Upgrades
Over the years, the old bridge needed some work. In the 1960s, a large gravel truck broke through the bridge floor. This meant cars could not use the bridge for a while. Workers quickly replaced the floor.
In the early 1980s, the bridge got major repairs. They fixed the stone supports on both sides of the bridge. They also replaced the roof and the outer walls. These repairs helped keep the old bridge strong for many more years.
How Hurricane Irene Destroyed the Bridge
On August 28, 2011, a very sad event happened. Hurricane Irene brought heavy rain and flash flooding. The strong floodwaters destroyed the Bartonsville Covered Bridge. It was a big loss for the community.
Building the New Bridge
After the old bridge was destroyed, people in town wanted to build a new one. They decided to use the bridge's insurance money. Their goal was to build another beautiful covered bridge.
The community worked hard to rebuild. The new Bartonsville Covered Bridge opened on January 26, 2013. It looks very similar to the old one. This new bridge helps people cross the Williams River once again.
