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Warren Covered Bridge
Photograph courtesy of the Mad River Valley Planning District
Warren Covered Bridge
Photograph by Thomas Visser
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The covered bridges of Vermont are among its most cherished
and symbolic historic resources. The Warren Covered Bridge is
the only bridge to remain in the town of Warren.
Combined with other surviving bridges in the area, the Warren
bridge reflects the widespread construction of covered bridges
on Vermont's public highways from around 1820 to 1904, one of
the highlights in Vermont's transportation history. Covered bridges
were roofed and enclosed to protect the wooden structural elements
from the weather, which in Vermont can be quite harsh. Little
more than 100 covered bridges remain in the State, the result
of expanding highway systems, intensive commercial development,
and physical neglect. Still, Vermont has the greatest concentration
of covered bridges in the country, and in the recent past has
become dedicated to their preservation. Vermont law now protects
all covered bridges and none can be torn down without the permission
of the Governor and the board of Historic Sites.
The Warren Bridge is a short and simple structure. Built by
Walter Bagley from 1879-80, it features a single span supported
by queenpost trusses. To date, it has not required reinforcement
devices, as have many other bridges. Unique features of this
structure are the differing portal openings at either end of
the bridge, the result of an overhanging gable roof on the west
side of the bridge. The bridge will remain unaltered in the future
unless, according to the stipulation of a town ordinance, two-thirds
of the legal voters approve any proposed change. The Warren Covered
Bridge is today an important symbol of the town.
The Warren Covered Bridge, still open to vehicular and
pedestrian traffic, is located on Town Hwy. 4 as that road crosses
the Mad River, just east of the intersection of Town Hwy. 4 and
Rt. 100. Be cautious of automobiles if you cross the bridge by
foot.
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