West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge facts for kids
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West Townshend Stone Arch 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 | Spans Tannery Brook, West Townshend, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1910 |
| Built by | James Otis Follett |
| Part of | West Townshend Village Historic District (ID86001502) |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000106 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 18, 1977 |
| Designated CP | September 11, 1986 |
The West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge is a cool old bridge in West Townshend, Vermont. It helps Round Hill Road cross over Tannery Brook. This bridge was built around 1910 by a local builder named James Otis Follett. It's special because it's one of the few bridges he built that are still standing today! In 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
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About the West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge
The West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge is found in the quiet village of West Townshend. This area is a few miles up the West River from the main part of Townshend. You can find the bridge on Round Hill Road, which is a small road off Back Windham Road, just north of Vermont Route 30.
How the Bridge Was Built
The bridge is made from rough stones and rocks, put together in a unique way. It has a single arch that stretches about 37 feet (11 meters) across Tannery Brook. The arch rises about 16 feet (5 meters) high above the water. The arch itself is about 14 feet (4 meters) wide, which is just enough space for one car to drive across at a time.
One end of the bridge sits on solid bedrock, which is very strong. The other end has special "wing walls" made of more rocks. These walls extend out to help support the bridge. The spaces above the arch are filled with more dry-laid stones, creating a strong base for the road above.
The Builder: James Otis Follett
This bridge is one of many built by James Otis Follett. He was a local mason who taught himself how to build. He built over 40 bridges in Townshend and other nearby towns.
When this bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, only six of the thirteen bridges Follett built in Townshend were still standing. Follett's bridges are very special because he built them with stone. At that time, most new bridges were being made with iron and steel.
Images for kids
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The West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge from the downstream side.
