Martin Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Martin Covered Bridge
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | off US 2 over the Winooski River, Marshfield, Vermont |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Single span queenpost truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000358 |
| Added to NRHP | October 9, 1974 |
The Martin Covered Bridge is a historic wooden bridge in Marshfield, Vermont. It stretches over the Winooski River and was built around 1890. This bridge is very special because it's the only old covered bridge still standing in Marshfield. It was recognized for its importance and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
About the Martin Covered Bridge
The Martin Covered Bridge is located in southern Marshfield, Vermont. It's about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Plainfield village, on the east side of US 2. This bridge used to be part of a private farm road. Today, cars cannot drive on it, but people can still walk across it.
How the Bridge Looks
The bridge is 45 feet (13.7 meters) long and 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) wide. The path you walk on is about 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) wide. It has a pointed roof, like a house, and its sides are covered with vertical wooden boards. These boards don't go all the way to the roof, leaving a small gap at the top. They also extend a little into the openings at each end of the bridge.
The base of the bridge, called the abutments, is made from large, rough stones stacked together. Inside the bridge's structure, you can see iron rods. These rods help make the bridge stronger by connecting parts of the wooden frame.
Its History and Design
The Martin Covered Bridge was built around 1890 by a local bridge builder named Herman F. Townsend. He was known for building bridges in the area.
This bridge uses a design called a "queenpost truss." This is a type of bridge structure that uses two main vertical posts and a top beam, forming a strong triangle shape. This design helps the bridge support weight and stay stable.
The Martin Covered Bridge is unique because it was originally built for a private road, which was not very common for bridges of its kind in the 1800s. It is also the last historic covered bridge left in Marshfield.
