Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
After we hiked the Chaffee Falls Trail in Pittsford, we decided to check out the nearby covered bridges. Pittsford boasts four historic covered bridges, including the Hammond Covered Bridge. All four date back to the 1800s and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Vermont has the most covered bridges per square mile in the United States. You can find more than 100 covered bridges in the state. Bridges were often built with roofs in the 19th century to protect the structural beams from the elements.
We stopped at the Hammond Covered Bridge after the Depot Bridge. The Hammond Bridge, built in 1842, crosses Otter Creek but is no longer in use. The town built a modern span, bypassing the Hammond Bridge in 1960. You can still walk through it, but cars no longer allowed.
Heavy rains in November 1927 caused massive flooding in Vermont. The flood killed 84 people and destroyed nearly 1300 bridges, including the Hammond Bridge. The waters swept the bridge a mile downstream and deposited it in a field. The town moved the bridge back later that winter.
Pittsford Covered Bridges►
- Gorham Bridge
- Cooley Bridge
- Depot Bridge
- Hammond Bridge
Location: Kendall Hill Rd, Pittsford, VT 05763
Designation: National Register of Historic Places
Date Designated/Established: 1/21/1974
Date of my visit: 7/31/2020
Interesting to see the internal lattice of timbers to keep the structure strong. Thanks for sharing T. Hope all is well. Allan
Thanks for reading and commenting!
The ole’ bridge does not look in good shape. Not like the ones around here. They are well taken care of. I have a number of them on my WP page. Be well. Les
Thanks for reading. 🙂
Another beautiful old covered bridge, Theresa. Thanks. –Curt
Thanks Curt! 🙂
Whoa, that was some heavy rain in 1927 🙁
Yes!
Interesting old bridges: Vermont is home to more than 100 covered bridges, boasting more covered bridges per square mile than any other U.S state.
🙂
The reflection off the lake is a super nice catch! Reminds me of a Stand by Me kind of feel, member that movie? River Phoenix. Covered bridges with clouds in the back. Thanks for taking me on a walk 😉
Thanks! Yes, I remember 🙂
These covered bridges are interesting. I would like to know why they were built in this way?
To protect the structural elements of the bridge from rain and snow, I’m told.
Can’t wait to move to Vermont and start exploring for myself. Thank you for some inspiration!
Cool! Good luck with the move…seems like a great place to call home
Pingback: Kennedy Park - National Parks With T