Tour Covered Bridges in Lamoille County, Vermont
Links to Vermont's Past from Romantic Folklore to Haunting Spirits
Nov 11, 2009
Few structures can stir such deep feelings in people than covered bridges. For some people, the structures conjure images of generations past, for others, it is a reminder of the changing economic climate, yet for others, it represents romantic folklore. Vermont has over 100 covered bridges. Three in Lamoille County are classic examples of covered bridges and offer a glimpse of life during the late 1800’s. Lamoille county is located in north central Vermont.
Covered Bridge History and Folklore
Covered bridges are a part of Americana. When commerce began to increase in America, routes for trade expanded, creating the need to transport products to markets faster and more efficiently. Routes around rivers and streams increased the time it took to deliver products. Bridges were one answer to successfully transverse water to transport animals, products, and people. Typically, covered bridges were constructed with a floor, roof, and trusses on each side that make up the framework. The structures had to be substantial to support the weight of animals, people, and vehicles.
Romantic bridge folklore proposed that some covered bridges were known as kissing bridges, especially during horse and buggy days, when young couples could sneak kisses while parked inside the covered bridges, without fear of detection. Folklore abounds about bootleg whiskey stowed in the trusses of covered bridges during Prohibition.Vermont ghost stories contain myths of covered bridge being haunted by the spirits of the hopeless who committed suicide by hanging themselves from the lattice work of the bridge.
Grist Mill Covered Bridge in Jeffersonville
The Grist Mill Covered Bridge is located in Jeffersonville, Vermont, approximately 17 miles northwest of Stowe, on Canyon Road, and spans the Brewster River. It was built in 1872 and is downstream from an old grist mill. It is known by other names, such as the Brewster River, the Jeffersonville, and the Canyon Covered Bridge.
Poland Covered Bridge in Jeffersonville
The Poland Covered Bridge is located northeast of Jeffersonville, Vermont on Poland Bridge Road, off SR 109. The Poland Covered Bridge was built in 1887 and named for Luke Poland, who instituted construction of the bridge. The Poland covered bridge is also known as the Station, Cambridge Junction, and the Kissing Covered Bridge.
Gates Farm Covered Bridge in Cambridge
The Gates Farm Covered Bridge crosses the Seymour River in Cambridge, Vermont. It is located off SR 15, approximately 3 miles east of Jeffersonville. It was built by George Washington Holmes in 1897 and was originally known as the Little Covered Bridge. This bridge is also known as Little Cambridge, the Shelburne Museum, and Seymour Covered Bridge.
All three bridges are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. If traveling by vehicle, the three bridges are located within five miles of each other. A map can be obtained from many local area businesses. A tour of covered bridges is like a trip back in time.
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