Thetford Center Covered Bridge facts for kids
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Thetford Center Covered Bridge
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tucker Hill Rd. over Ompompanoosuc River, Thetford, Vermont |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Architectural style | Haupt patent truss |
| Part of | Thetford Center Historic District (ID98000220) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000247 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 17, 1974 |
| Designated CP | March 5, 1998 |
The Thetford Center Covered Bridge is a special old covered bridge in Thetford, Vermont. It helps Tucker Hill Road cross the Ompompanoosuc River. This bridge is super unique because it's the only one in Vermont that uses a special design called the Haupt patent truss system. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Contents
The Thetford Center Covered Bridge: A Special Landmark
This historic bridge is found just west of the small village of Thetford Center. It stretches over the Ompompanoosuc River, which flows south into the larger Connecticut River. The bridge is a great example of old-time engineering.
What Makes This Bridge Unique?
The Thetford Center Covered Bridge is 128.5 feet (39.2 m) long. It sits on strong stone supports called abutments. These supports were originally made of dry-laid stones, but they now have concrete caps. There's also a concrete pier in the middle for extra strength.
The bridge has a metal roof to protect it from the weather. Its sides are covered with vertical wooden boards. The openings at each end, called portals, stick out about 1 foot (0.30 m) past the main bridge floor.
How the Bridge Was Built
Today, the bridge's floor is supported by modern steel I-beams. However, the original wooden parts, called trusses, still hold up the roof and sides. The bridge is 20.5 feet (6.2 m) wide, with an 18-foot (5.5 m) wide roadway for one lane of traffic.
The special design of this bridge is a type of "multiple kingpost truss." This means it has vertical and diagonal wooden beams arranged in a specific pattern. What makes it even more special is a strong, curved arch made of thick planks of wood pegged together. This arch adds extra support to the bridge.
A Rare Design: The Haupt Patent Truss
We don't know the exact year the Thetford Center Covered Bridge was built. But we do know it's the only bridge in Vermont that uses the Haupt patent truss system. This design might even be the only one of its kind left in the entire northeastern United States.
In 1963, some changes were made to the bridge. This included adding the steel I-beams to support the deck and capping the stone abutments with concrete. These updates helped keep the old bridge strong and safe for many more years.
