Gold Brook Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gold Brook Covered Bridge
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Covered Bridge Rd., Stowe, Vermont |
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| Built | 1844 |
| Architect | Smith, John W. |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000224 |
| Added to NRHP | October 1, 1974 |
The Gold Brook Covered Bridge, also known as Stowe Hollow Bridge or Emily's Bridge, is a small wooden covered bridge in Stowe, Vermont. It carries Covered Bridge Road over Gold Brook. This bridge was built in 1844. It is special because it's the only covered bridge from the 1800s in Vermont that uses a unique design called a Howe truss and is still used by cars on a public road. It became a protected historic place in 1974.
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About the Gold Brook Bridge
The Gold Brook Covered Bridge is found in the Stowe Hollow area of southeastern Stowe. It helps Covered Bridge Road cross over Gold Brook. The bridge is about 48.5 feet (14.8 meters) long and 17 feet (5.2 meters) wide. Its roadway, where cars drive, is 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) wide.
The bridge has a metal roof that looks like a triangle. It sits on strong stone supports built without mortar. The outside of the bridge is covered with vertical wooden boards. These boards go almost all the way up to the roof, leaving a small opening at the top. The bridge floor is made of wooden planks.
Building the Bridge
The bridge was built around 1844 by a person named John W. Smith. It is the only bridge in Vermont that still uses a wooden Howe truss design on a public road. The Howe truss was a new design, patented in 1840. This makes the Gold Brook Bridge a very early example of this type of bridge. It is also the only covered bridge from the 1800s still standing in the town of Stowe.
The Legend of Emily's Bridge
The Gold Brook Covered Bridge is sometimes called "Emily's Bridge." This is because of a local legend about a young woman named Emily.
Emily's Story
People say that in the 1850s, a teenage girl named Emily fell in love. She was from a poor family, and the young man she loved was from a rich family. His parents did not approve of their wedding.
The story goes that her love told her to meet him on the bridge at midnight. Emily waited for him, but he never showed up. She was so sad and heartbroken that she jumped off the bridge into the brook below. Sadly, she died.
The Bridge's Mystery
Locals say that Emily's spirit still stays around the bridge. Some people report strange feelings or sounds when they are on or near the bridge. The bridge was even featured on a TV show called Most Terrifying Places in America in 2018. The episode, "Cursed Towns," talked about the legend of Emily.
