Best's Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Best's Covered Bridge
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | About 8 miles (13 km) west of Windsor village, Churchill Road S. of Vermont Route 44, West Windsor, Vermont |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000210 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1973 |
Best's Covered Bridge, also known as Swallow's Bridge, is a super cool old covered bridge in West Windsor, Vermont. It helps Churchill Road cross over Mill Creek. You can find it just south of Vermont Route 44. This special bridge was built in 1889. It has a unique design with strong curved arches and a wooden frame. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
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Discover Best's Covered Bridge
Best's Covered Bridge is located about 8 miles (13 km) west of Windsor's town center. It sits just south of Vermont Route 44 on Churchill Road. This bridge has one single span, meaning it crosses the creek in one go.
Bridge Design and Size
The bridge is 37 feet (11 m) long. Its roadway is 12.5 feet (3.8 m) wide, which is just enough for one car at a time. The bridge rests on strong stone walls called abutments.
The main part of the bridge is made from a special "laminated arch" design. This means five layers of wooden planks are glued and bolted together to form a strong curve. These arches are protected by a wooden frame, which has vertical boards on the outside. A metal roof sits on top to keep the bridge safe from weather.
How the Bridge Works
The bridge's floor is held up by iron rods. These rods hang down from the strong wooden arches. There are also wooden posts that rise above the arches, adding more support. This design makes the bridge very strong, even though it's on a road that doesn't get a lot of traffic.
The History of Best's Bridge
This amazing bridge was built in 1889. The builder was Stephen F. Hammond, who lived from 1836 to 1913. He was a local wheelwright from Brownsville. A wheelwright is someone who builds and repairs wheels.
Who Built the Bridge?
Some old records might make it seem like Amasa W. Swallow built the bridge. He lived from 1829 to 1894. However, this is likely a mistake. Town reports from 1889 suggest that the note "new covered bridge by Amasa W. Swallow" actually meant the bridge was located near his property. Stephen F. Hammond was the true builder.
How the Bridge Got Its Names
The bridge has two names: Best's Covered Bridge and Swallow's Bridge. The name "Swallow's Bridge" comes from Amasa W. Swallow. He owned the farm right next to the bridge in the 1880s.
The name "Best's Covered Bridge" comes from William Edgar Best. He lived from 1869 to 1971. In 1896, two years after Swallow passed away, William Best bought the farm. That's how the bridge got its second, more common name.
Why This Design is Special
The "laminated arch" way of building bridges was not very common in Vermont in the 1800s. But it was a great choice for this bridge. It works perfectly for a short crossing on a road that isn't used by many vehicles.
