Spade Farm Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spade Farm Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 44°14′29″N 73°13′59″W / 44.24139°N 73.23306°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian (closed to motor traffic) |
| Crosses | storm drainage ditch |
| Locale | Ferrisburgh, Vermont |
| Maintained by | private |
| ID number | VT-01-02 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Covered, Town lattice |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 85.5 ft (26.1 m) |
| Width | 17.3 ft (5.3 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Justin Miller |
| Construction end | 1850 |
The Spade Farm Covered Bridge is a special kind of bridge. It is also known as the Old Hollow Covered Bridge. This bridge crosses a storm drainage ditch. You can find it near State Route 7 in Ferrisburgh, Vermont.
A covered bridge is a wooden bridge with a roof and sides. These covers protect the wooden parts from weather. This helps the bridge last much longer. The Spade Farm Covered Bridge was built by Justin Miller. It uses a special design called a Town lattice. This design uses many crisscross wooden beams. They form a strong, crisscross pattern. This makes the bridge very sturdy.
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The Bridge's Journey: A New Home
The Spade Farm Covered Bridge has an interesting past. It was not always in its current spot.
Moving the Old Hollow Bridge
The bridge first stood in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont. It was on a road called Old Hollow Road. That is why it also has the name "Old Hollow Covered Bridge." In 1958, the bridge was going to be taken down. Plans were made to replace it with a new, modern bridge.
But a local farmer named Sam Spade had a different idea. He asked if he could move the old bridge to his farm. Luckily, his request was approved! The bridge was carefully moved to its new home. This saved it from being torn down.
When Was It Built?
There is a sign on the bridge that says it was built in 1824. However, historians have studied the bridge. They believe it was actually built later, around 1850. This date is thought to be more accurate.
A Look Inside: Old Advertisements
Even though the bridge is old, it still has some cool features. Inside, you can see many examples of old advertisements. These ads are from the time when the bridge was first built. They are on the wooden beams that make up the bridge's structure. It is like a little peek into the past!
Who Owns the Bridge Now?
Today, the Spade Farm Covered Bridge is still privately owned. This means it is not owned by the state or federal government. Because it is privately owned, it cannot get money from state or federal funds. This makes it harder to keep the bridge in perfect condition. It is slowly showing signs of age.
