Iron Bridge at Howard Hill Road facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Iron Bridge at Howard Hill Road
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 Location in Vermont
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| Location | Howard Hill Rd. and VT 131, Cavendish, Vermont |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Built by | Groton Bridge and Manufacturing Co. |
| Architectural style | Pratt through truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001711 |
| Added to NRHP | September 9, 1982 |
The Iron Bridge at Howard Hill Road is actually two bridges! One is a new, modern bridge that helps people cross the Black River in Cavendish, Vermont. The other is a very old, historic iron bridge that used to be in the same spot. This older bridge is now carefully stored away.
The historic bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as an important part of history.
Contents
The Modern Bridge: What's There Now?
The bridge you see today on Howard Hill Road is a newer structure. It's located in southeastern Cavendish, a town in Vermont. The bridge crosses the Black River, which flows towards the east.
This modern bridge is built on strong concrete foundations. It's a type of bridge called a "pony truss." This means it has a special frame above the road, but it's not tall enough to cover the entire roadway like a tunnel. It's a simple, strong bridge that helps people on a few local roads get across the river safely.
The Historic Bridge: A Piece of History
The original Iron Bridge at Howard Hill Road is a true piece of history. It was built way back in 1890! This old bridge is currently in storage, waiting for a new home where it can be appreciated.
How Was the Historic Bridge Built?
This historic bridge was a "Pratt through truss" design. Imagine a bridge where the main supports form a series of triangles, and the road goes through the middle of these supports. That's a through truss!
It was made from strong materials like wrought iron and cast iron. The different parts of the bridge were connected using large metal pins, almost like giant LEGO pieces.
Size and Features of the Old Bridge
The historic bridge was about 88 feet (27 m) long. That's roughly the length of two school buses! The roadway was quite narrow, only about 14 feet (4.3 m) wide, which meant it was just wide enough for one car at a time. The top of the bridge's frame was about 11.5 feet (3.5 m) high.
The bridge used to sit on foundations made of rough, natural stones. These were called "uncoursed fieldstone abutments."
Who Built This Old Bridge?
The historic bridge was built by a company called the Groton Bridge Co. in 1890. This company was known for building many bridges during that time.
This bridge is special because it's one of only a few "pin-connected truss bridges" from the 1800s that are still around in Vermont. These types of bridges were very common back then, but many have been replaced.
Where is the Old Bridge Now?
The historic bridge was carefully taken apart in 2007. It's now being stored by the state's Historic Bridges Program. They are looking for a good place to put it back together, perhaps in a park or another location where people can visit and learn about its history. It's like a giant puzzle waiting to be reassembled!
