Kingsley Covered Bridge, East Clarendon Vermont
- Categories:
- Vermont
- Covered Bridges
- Town Lattice Truss
The Kingsley Covered Bridge, which was built by Timothy K. Horton in about 1870, is the only remaining covered wood bridge in the town of Clarendon. The bridge crosses high above the Mill River a short distance downstream from the falls and mill at East Clarendon, contributing to a scenic historic environment which is increasingly scarce in Vermont.
The covered bridges of Vermont are among its most cherished and symbolic historic resources. About one hundred bridges still stand in the state, the greatest concentration by area of covered bridges in the country.
Bridge Description
The Kingsley Covered Bridge consists of a single span supported by two flanking timber Town lattice trusses. Iron tie-rods extend from three upper corners of the trusses to the river bank below, intended to provide lateral support. The abutments have been rebuilt or faced with concrete. The bridge is 121 feet long and 17.5 feet wide, with a 14-foot roadway. The wood floor begins: 10.5 feet inside the north portal and 8.5 feet inside the south portal.
On the exterior, the large planks pegged together diagonally to form the trusses (and side walls) of the bridge are sheathed with flush boards hung vertically. Similar siding protects the ends of the trusses immediately inside the portals There are no windows or intentional openings in the side walls The gable ends are flat, and are also sheathed with flush vertical boards. The gable roof is now covered with corrugated metal sheeting.
View of bridge looking east (1973)
