Centre Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Centre Covered Bridge
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Off  US 5 across the Passumpsic River, northeast of Lyndon, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architectural style | Paddleford truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000204 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1974 |
The Centre Covered Bridge, also known as the Sanborn Covered Bridge, is a really old and special bridge in Vermont! This amazing bridge crosses the Passumpsic River near U.S. Route 5 (US 5) north of Lyndon, Vermont. It was built way back in 1872 and was used for cars and wagons for a long time.
In 1960, the bridge was moved to a new spot and isn't used for traffic anymore. It's one of only three bridges in Vermont that use a special design called a Paddleford truss. Because it's so unique, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Contents
Discover the Centre Covered Bridge
The Centre Covered Bridge is located just west of US 5. It's on the northern edge of a village called Lyndonville. This bridge is a single-span Paddleford truss structure. It sits on strong concrete supports. The bridge goes north and south across the Passumpsic River.
What Makes This Bridge Special?
The Centre Covered Bridge is built with a special design. This design is called a Paddleford truss. A "truss" is a type of framework. It uses triangles to make the bridge very strong. The Paddleford truss was invented by a man named Peter Paddleford. It's a clever way to build bridges out of wood.
How Big Is It?
The Centre Covered Bridge is quite long! It measures about 118 feet (36 meters) from one end to the other. It is 20 feet (6.1 meters) wide. The part where vehicles used to drive is about 17.5 feet (5.3 meters) wide.
What Does It Look Like?
The bridge has a metal roof with very long edges. These long edges help protect the wooden parts. The sides of the bridge are covered with vertical wooden boards. These boards go over the lower half of the truss framework.
The openings at each end of the bridge are called portals. These portals stick out a bit from the main bridge structure. They are also covered with vertical wooden boards. The openings themselves are shaped like rounded arches. There used to be a sidewalk on the outside of the east side. This walkway is now old and can't be used.
A Journey Through Time: Bridge History
The Centre Covered Bridge has an interesting past. It was built in 1872. That makes it over 150 years old!
Where Did It Start?
When it was first built, the bridge was in a different spot. It was about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) south of its current location. It helped people travel between Lyndonville and Lyndon Center. It was an important link for the community.
Why Is It Important?
In 1960, the bridge was moved to where it is now. At that time, it was closed to traffic. Even though it's not used for cars anymore, it's still very important. It is one of only three Paddleford truss bridges left in Vermont. It is also the longest of these three bridges. The outside walkway on the bridge is also rare. Only five covered bridges in Vermont have this feature.
