Church Street Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church Street Covered Bridge |
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| Carries | Automobile |
| Crosses | North Branch Lamoille River aka Kelly River |
| Locale | Waterville, Vermont |
| Maintained by | Town of Waterville |
| ID number | VT-08-13 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Covered, Queen post |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 61.1 ft (18.6 m) |
| Width | 12.2 ft (3.7 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| Load limit | 8 tons |
| Clearance above | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | unknown |
| Construction end | 1877 |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1877 |
| Part of | Waterville Village Historic District (ID07001026) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000234 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 16, 1974 |
| Designated CP | September 28, 2007 |
The Church Street Covered Bridge, also called the Village Covered Bridge, is a cool wooden covered bridge in Waterville, Vermont. It crosses the North Branch of the Lamoille River, which is also known as the Kelly River. You can find it just off State Route 109. This bridge was built a long time ago, in the late 1800s. It's one of five covered bridges in a short distance that cross the North Branch Lamoille River. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Contents
What Does the Bridge Look Like?
The Church Street Bridge is right in the middle of Waterville village. It's located just west of the Waterville Union Church. This bridge is a single-span bridge, meaning it crosses the river in one big jump. It uses a special design called a Queen post truss.
How Big is the Bridge?
The bridge is about 61 feet (19 m) long. That's like four school buses lined up! It's also about 15 feet (4.6 m) wide. The part where cars drive is about 12.5 feet (3.8 m) wide. Only one lane of traffic can cross at a time.
What is it Made Of?
The bridge has a sloped metal roof. Its outside walls are covered with vertical wooden boards. These boards also go around the inside of the openings where cars enter and exit. The siding on the sides doesn't go all the way up to the roof, leaving a small open space. The bridge sits on stone supports that are topped with concrete. Inside the bridge's structure, there are iron rods. These rods help make the bridge strong. The bridge floor is made of wooden planks. Underneath these planks are strong steel I-beams. These I-beams help carry the weight of cars and trucks.
When Was the Bridge Built?
The Church Street Covered Bridge was built around 1877. We don't know who the exact builder was. This bridge is part of a unique group. There are two covered bridges in Waterville and two more in nearby Belvidere. All five of these bridges are within about five miles of each other on the North Branch Lamoille River. This is one of the most places in Vermont with so many covered bridges close together over one river!
Interesting Moments in the Bridge's History
The Church Street Bridge has seen a lot over the years:
- In 1967, the back wheels of a truck actually fell through the bridge floor! After that, strong steel I-beams were added underneath to make it safer.
- In 1970, there was a fire at a house nearby. Firefighters sprayed the bridge with water to stop it from catching fire too. The bridge survived!
- In 2000, the bridge was completely rebuilt. This made sure it would stay strong and safe for many more years.
