Old Blenheim Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Blenheim Bridge |
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HAER photo in 2004
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| Carries | Vehicles (1855–1936) Pedestrians (1936–2011) |
| Crosses | Schoharie Creek |
| Locale | North Blenheim, NY |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | double-barreled Long truss with center arch covered bridge |
| Total length | 232 ft 0 in (70.7 m) |
| Width | 26 ft 3 in (8.0 m) |
| Height | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Longest span | 210 feet (64 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | Nichols M. Powers |
| Opened | 1855 |
| Collapsed | August 28, 2011 |
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Old Blenheim Bridge
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 Location in New York
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| Location | North Blenheim, NY |
| Area | Schoharie County |
| Built | 1854–1855 |
| Architect | Nichols Montgomery Powers |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000570 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 29, 1964 |
| Delisted NHL | July 21, 2015 |
The Old Blenheim Bridge was a famous wooden covered bridge in North Blenheim, New York. It stretched across the Schoharie Creek. This bridge was special because it had one of the longest single spans of any covered bridge in the world. It opened way back in 1855, making it one of the oldest bridges of its kind in the United States. Sadly, a big flood from Tropical Storm Irene destroyed it in 2011. But don't worry, a new bridge that looks just like the old one was built in 2018!
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Bridge History
The idea for the Old Blenheim Bridge came from local business people. They formed the Blenheim Bridge Company to build it. They hired a skilled builder named Nichols Montgomery Powers from Vermont.
The bridge opened in 1855. For many years, until 1932, cars and wagons used it to cross the creek. After a new steel bridge was built nearby, the Old Blenheim Bridge became a historic site. People could walk across it and enjoy its beauty. In 1964, it was even named a National Historic Landmark. This means it was a very important place in American history.
On August 28, 2011, a huge flood hit the Schoharie Creek. This flood was caused by Tropical Storm Irene. The powerful water swept the bridge away, completely destroying it.
Longest Covered Bridge Debate
Many people believed the Old Blenheim Bridge was the longest single-span covered bridge still standing. A "single-span" bridge crosses a gap without any support columns in the middle.
However, there was some debate about whether it was truly the longest. Another bridge, the Bridgeport Covered Bridge in California, was also a contender. The New York Covered Bridge Society said the Blenheim bridge was about 2 feet longer than the California bridge in terms of its "clear span." The clear span is the actual open space the bridge covers.
A report from the U.S. Department of the Interior looked at both bridges. It found that the Bridgeport Covered Bridge had clear spans of 210 feet on one side and 208 feet on the other. The Old Blenheim Bridge had a documented clear span of 210 feet in its middle.
Historically, the longest single-span covered bridge ever recorded was the McCall's Ferry Bridge in Pennsylvania. It was built in 1814–15 and had a clear span of 360 feet. But it was destroyed by ice in 1817.
Bridge Destruction
The Old Blenheim Bridge was destroyed on August 28, 2011. This happened because of the severe flooding from Tropical Storm Irene.
Someone saw the bridge's roof land on a newer bridge downstream as the old bridge was washed away. For months afterward, pieces of the bridge were found up to 30 miles downstream.
Because the bridge was destroyed, it was removed from the list of National Historic Landmarks on July 21, 2015.
Building a New Bridge
A new bridge was built in 2017 to replace the original. It was designed to look exactly like the Old Blenheim Bridge. The builders even made it 15 feet higher. This was done to help it survive future floods.
It took a lot of time and effort to plan the new bridge. Getting money for the project was a challenge at first. The construction cost $6.7 million. Most of the money came from FEMA (a government agency that helps after disasters) and the rest from New York State.
Construction began in early 2017. Some preserved pieces of the original bridge were included in the new one as a memorial. In 2018, the TV show Nova even showed an episode about how the new bridge was built.
Gallery
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Oblique view as photographed from up the hill on the eastern shore
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The span of the Old Blenheim Bridge as photographed 11 March 2008.
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Old Blenheim Bridge NYS Education Dept. Historical Marker (with bridge in background) as photographed 29 May 2009
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Registered National Historic Landmark Plaque
