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Coburn Covered Bridge
Photograph courtesy of the Central Vermont chamber of
Commerce
Coburn Covered Bridge, circa 1950
Photograph courtesy of the Vermont Historical Society
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The covered bridges of Vermont are among its most cherished
and symbolic historic resources. The Coburn Covered Bridge is
the only one to remain in East Montpelier. It 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 Coburn Covered Bridge was built by Larned Coburn in the
1840s. It is 69 and a half feet long and of queenpost construction.
The wood trusses and superstructure are intact and in excellent
condition, although the original timber deck has been replaced
with steel beams and concrete. The bridge spans the Winooski
river, once called the Onion River. Mr. Coburn gave the bridge
to the town in exchange for changing the path of the town road
to pass by his house. The bridge, in relationship to other historic
structures and the villagescape, helps to form the unique historic
environment of East Montpelier.
Coburn Covered Bridge spans the Winooski river on Coburn
Rd., east of Rt. 14, in East Montpelier. Be cautious of automobiles
if you cross the bridge by foot
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