Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge |
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Bridge in U.S. state of Vermont
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| Carries | Automobile |
| Crosses | Cox Brook |
| Locale | Northfield, Vermont |
| Maintained by | Town of Northfield |
| ID number | VT-12-10 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Covered, Queen post |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 56.75 ft (17.30 m) |
| Width | 15.5 ft (4.72 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| Clearance above | 12 ft (3.66 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | unknown |
| Construction end | 1872 |
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Area | 1 acre (0.4 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000262 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1974 |
The Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge is a cool old wooden bridge in Northfield, Vermont. It crosses over Cox Brook on Cox Brook Road. This bridge was built way back in 1872. It's special because it's one of five covered bridges from the 1800s still standing in Northfield. It's also part of the only spot in Vermont where you can see two historic covered bridges from each other! Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Contents
What is a Covered Bridge?
A covered bridge is a special type of bridge that has walls and a roof. These covers protect the wooden parts of the bridge from rain, snow, and sun. This helps the bridge last much longer. The Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge is made of wood and has a metal roof. Its outside walls are painted red.
Where is This Bridge Located?
The Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge is found near a small village called Northfield Falls. It's one of three old covered bridges on Cox Brook Road, all very close to each other. You can find them within about a quarter-mile!
- The Northfield Falls Covered Bridge crosses the Dog River. You can actually see the Lower Cox Brook Bridge from this one!
- The Lower Cox Brook Bridge and the Upper Cox Brook Covered Bridge both cross Cox Brook.
- There's also the Slaughterhouse Bridge nearby.
This area is unique in Vermont. It's the only place where you can see a historic covered bridge over one stream from another historic bridge over a different stream.
How Big is the Lower Cox Brook Bridge?
This bridge uses a design called a Queen post truss. This design uses strong wooden triangles to support the bridge.
Here are some facts about its size:
- It is about 56.5 feet (17.2 m) long.
- It is about 18.5 feet (5.6 m) wide.
- The part where cars drive is about 15.5 feet (4.7 m) wide, which is just enough for one lane of traffic.
The bridge sits on strong supports called abutments. These are either made of stone with concrete or have been rebuilt with concrete. The wooden road surface of the bridge is also supported by four strong steel beams.
When Was This Bridge Built?
The Lower Cox Brook Covered Bridge was built around 1872. We don't know who the original builder was. In the 1960s, the steel beams were added to help support the bridge's road. This helped make sure the bridge could still be used safely for cars.
