About

The Middle Covered Bridge crosses the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock village, within view of the village green. Built in 1969, it is a Town lattice truss bridge 139 feet long overall, with a largest span of 124 feet. It carries vehicle traffic and has a separate walkway for pedestrians.

History

At least nine bridges have crossed the river at this site since 1803. A covered bridge stood here from 1850 to 1869, and an iron bridge built in 1877 served for almost 100 years until it was condemned. Milton Graton built the present bridge in 1969 on dry land, and Olin Maxham's team of oxen pulled it across the river on cribbing. On May 11, 1974, the night of the Woodstock Fireman's Ball, arsonists set the five-year-old bridge on fire. Many timbers survived, and the repairs took three years and cost nearly $55,000.

Design

The bridge uses the Town lattice truss, a web of crisscrossed planks, and has no functional metal in its trusses. The lattice members are held by about 1,400 wooden pegs turned from 23 New Hampshire white oak trees. The deck is 14.4 feet wide, with 10.8 feet of vertical clearance.

Visiting

The Woodstock visitor guide places the bridge on Mountain Avenue, a quiet side street within view of the village green. It is open to vehicles, and a separate walkway serves foot traffic.

Sources: History of the Middle Bridge (Woodstock History Center), Middle Covered Bridge (Covered Spans of Yesteryear), 4 Covered Bridges That Epitomize Vermont Charm (Woodstock Area Chamber)

Photo: daveynin from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.