List of covered bridges in New York facts for kids
Imagine a time when bridges weren't made of steel and concrete, but of wood, covered with a roof and walls. These are called covered bridges, and they're like cozy tunnels that help people cross rivers and streams. New York State is home to many of these special bridges, some of which are very old and have amazing stories to tell. They're not just ways to get from one side to another; they're also important pieces of history!
Discovering New York's Covered Bridges
New York State has a rich history, and its covered bridges are a big part of it. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has identified 29 of these bridges as historic. This means they are important landmarks from the past. The New York Society of Covered Bridges also keeps track of 24 historic covered bridges, making sure they are remembered and protected.
One of the most famous covered bridges was the Old Blenheim Bridge. It was so special that it was named a National Historic Landmark! People even thought it might have been the longest single-span covered bridge in the entire world. Sadly, it was destroyed by a big storm in 2011, but it has since been rebuilt, showing how much these bridges mean to people.
Historic Bridges You Can Visit
Here's a list of 24 historic covered bridges in New York State, organized by the counties where you can find them. Many of these bridges are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are officially recognized for their historical importance.
Delaware County Bridges
- Downsville Bridge
- Location: Delaware County
- Built: 1854
- Length: 174 feet
- Crosses: East Branch of the Delaware River
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
- Fitches Bridge
- Location: Delaware County
- Built: 1870
- Length: 100 feet
- Crosses: West Branch of the Delaware River
- Notes: You can find this bridge on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999.
- Hamden Bridge
- Location: Delaware County
- Built: 1859
- Length: 125 feet
- Crosses: West Branch of the Delaware River
- Notes: This historic bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
- Lower Shavertown Bridge (also known as Campbell Bridge or Old Roscoe Bridge)
- Location: Delaware County
- Built: 1877
- Length: 32 feet
- Crosses: Trout Creek
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
- Tuscarora Club Bridge
- Location: Delaware County
- Built: 1870 (rebuilt in 2012)
- Length: 38 feet
- Crosses: Mill Brook
Essex County Bridges
- Jay Bridge
- Location: Essex County
- Built: 1857
- Length: 160 feet
- Crosses: Ausable River
Herkimer County Bridges
- Salisbury Center Bridge
- Location: Herkimer County
- Built: 1875
- Length: 50 feet
- Crosses: Spruce Creek
- Notes: This bridge has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.
Otsego County Bridges
- Hyde Hall Bridge
- Location: Otsego County
- Built: 1825
- Length: 53 feet
- Crosses: Shadow Brook
- Notes: Located in Glimmerglass State Park, this bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Saratoga County Bridges
- Copeland Bridge
- Location: Saratoga County
- Built: 1879
- Length: 35 feet
- Crosses: Beecher Creek
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Schoharie County Bridges
- Blenheim Bridge
- Location: Schoharie County
- Built: 1855 (rebuilt in 2018)
- Length: 232 feet
- Crosses: Schoharie Creek
- Notes: This bridge was a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. It was sadly destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 but was rebuilt and reopened in 2018.
Sullivan County Bridges
- Beaverkill Bridge (also known as Conklin Bridge)
- Location: Sullivan County
- Built: 1865
- Length: 98 feet
- Crosses: Beaver Kill
- Notes: This bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
- Bendo Bridge (or Willowemoc Covered Bridge)
- Location: Sullivan County
- Built: 1860
- Length: 48 feet
- Crosses: Willowemoc Creek
- Halls Mills Bridge
- Location: Sullivan County
- Built: 1912
- Length: 119 feet
- Crosses: Neversink River
- Van Tran Flat Bridge (formerly Mott's Flat Bridge, also Livingston Manor Bridge)
- Location: Sullivan County
- Built: 1860
- Length: 117 feet
- Crosses: Willowemoc Creek
Tompkins County Bridges
- Newfield Bridge
- Location: Tompkins County
- Built: 1853
- Length: 115 feet
- Crosses: Cayuga Creek
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Ulster County Bridges
- Ashokan Bridge (also New Paltz Campus Bridge or Turnwood Bridge)
- Location: Ulster County
- Built: 1889
- Length: 62 feet
- Crosses: Esopus Creek
- Notes: This bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
- Forge Bridge
- Location: Ulster County
- Built: 1906
- Length: 27 feet
- Crosses: Dry Brook
- Grants Mills Bridge
- Location: Ulster County
- Built: 1902
- Length: 66 feet
- Crosses: Mill Brook
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
- Perrine's Bridge
- Location: Ulster County
- Built: 1844
- Length: 138 feet
- Crosses: Wallkill River
- Notes: This very old bridge has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.
- Tappan Bridge (or Kittle Bridge)
- Location: Ulster County
- Built: 1906
- Length: 43 feet
- Crosses: Dry Brook
Washington County Bridges
- Buskirk Bridge
- Location: Washington County
- Built: 1857
- Length: 164 feet
- Crosses: Hoosic River
- Notes: This bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
- Eagleville Bridge
- Location: Washington County
- Built: 1858
- Length: 101 feet
- Crosses: Battenkill
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
- Rexleigh Bridge
- Location: Washington County
- Built: 1874
- Length: 107 feet
- Crosses: Battenkill
- Notes: This bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
- Shushan Bridge
- Location: Washington County
- Built: 1858
- Length: 161 feet
- Crosses: Battenkill
- Notes: This bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
More Covered Bridges to Explore
Besides the very old and famous bridges, there are other covered bridges in New York State that are more modern or have been built in different ways. Here are some of them:
- Waldbillig Bridge, in Albany County
- Voorheesville School Bridge, in Albany County
- Munson Bridge in Broome County
- Thomas E. Kelly Bridge in Cattaraugus County
- Erpf Bridge in Delaware County
- Fort Ticonderoga / Kissing Bridge, in Essex County
- Morehouse Bridge in Fulton County
- Old Forge Bridge in Herkimer County
- Frontenac or North Country Bridge, in Jefferson County
- Americana Village Bridge, in Madison County
- Roydhouse Bridge, in Oneida County
- Schoharie Bridge, in Schoharie County
- Ludlow Greens Bridge, in Suffolk County
- Grahamsville Bridge, in Sullivan County
- Friendship Manor Bridge, in Ulster County
- Myers Bridge, in Ulster County
- Cambridge Bridge, in Washington County
- Granville Bridge, in Washington County
- Cannon Covered Bridge, in Wyoming County