Bowers Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bowers Covered Bridge
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The bridge in 2005
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bible Hill Rd. over Mill Brook, West Windsor, Vermont |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built by | unknown |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000211 |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 1973 |
The Bowers Covered Bridge, also known as the Brownsville Bridge, is a special old covered bridge in West Windsor, Vermont. It carries Bible Hill Road over a small stream called Mill Brook. This bridge was built in 1919. It has a unique design with strong, curved wooden arches hidden under a simple shed-like roof.
The Bowers Covered Bridge is very similar to another historic bridge in Windsor called Best's Covered Bridge. Because of its history and unique design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The bridge was badly damaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011 but was rebuilt. However, it has been hit by large vehicles many times since then, causing more damage.
Contents
Discover the Bowers Covered Bridge
The Bowers Covered Bridge is found in the southern part of West Windsor, Vermont. It helps Bible Hill Road cross Mill Brook. This road connects Vermont Route 44 with Harrington and Westgate Roads.
What Makes This Bridge Special?
The bridge is about 45 feet (13.7 meters) long and 15 feet (4.6 meters) wide. Its roadway is about 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) wide, meaning it's only wide enough for one car at a time. The bridge sits on stone supports called abutments, which are built without mortar.
The main part of the bridge is a single, strong arch made of many layers of wood. This arch is covered by a simple, shed-like structure made of posts and beams. The sides of the bridge are covered with vertical wooden boards. The roof is made of corrugated metal, which helps protect the bridge from rain and snow. Inside, wooden beams called floor stringers support the road. These stringers are held up by iron rods and wooden posts connected to the main arches.
A Look at Its History
The Bowers Covered Bridge was built in 1919. It is one of only two covered bridges in West Windsor. It is also one of only three bridges in the entire state of Vermont that uses this special type of layered wooden arch construction.
In 2011, a very strong storm called Hurricane Irene caused a lot of damage. The floodwaters from the hurricane actually swept the bridge off its stone supports. Luckily, the bridge was rebuilt and reopened in 2012.
However, since it reopened, the bridge has been hit several times by vehicles that were too large for it. These accidents have caused structural damage to the bridge. Because of this ongoing damage, the town has been thinking about closing the bridge to traffic to keep it safe.
Images for kids
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Damaged bridge on the riverbank after Hurricane Irene in 2011
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Bowers Covered Bridge looking north in May 2019
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Bowers Covered Bridge showing construction details
