Lyndon - Covered Bridges in Trouble

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Yesterday I received a message from Suzy in Wyoming.  Did I know that one of the bridges in Lyndon is in trouble? She included a link to an article from the Caledonian Record.  "Lyndon Bridge is Falling Down"  So this morning we headed over to Lyndon which claims to be the Covered Bridge Capital of the Northeast Kingdom.  We were sad to see the condition of two of the five bridges.

 After our picturesque trip over Stannard Mountain we arrived first at the Chamberlain Mill Bridge.  An unusual queenpost covered bridge with open sides.  The large roof overhangs help protect the bridge. This bridge is open to traffic.

Chamberlain Mill Bridge

Chamberlain Bridge

Just about a mile away is the School House Bridge.  Closed to traffic it makes a great picnic spot.  There is a pretty little park and a picnic table on the bridge.  The most interesting aspect of this bridge are the inner walls covering the queenpost trusses. A little note on the inner wall of the bridge said that the walls may have been boarded to prevent the school children from climbing into the rafters! It looks like the town spends a lot of money on fresh white paint!  Being a former teacher I can almost imagine the children using the bridge's walkway on their way to and from school.

School House Bridge

School House Bridge

 The Miller's Run Bridge is easily the prettiest covered bridge in Lyndon.  It is on a state road so it has received a bit more money and attention.

Miller's Run Bridge

Miller's Run Bridge

The bridge hunters hard at work.

Around the corner from Miller's Run is the Sanborn Bridge.  This is the bridge that is falling down.  It is a Paddleford bridge designed by Peter Paddleford of nearby Littleton, New Hampshire. Paddleford was an inventor who never patented his design.  Privately owned and damaged again by the most recent rains the Sanborn bridge has been closed to ALL traffic.  To remove it requires permits and the owners have been trying to give it away.  (See article: "Lyndon Bridge is Falling Down")  The owners are planning to board the bridge up this week.  I thought it was funny that there seemed to be a building inside the bridge.  I later found out that there use to be a real estate office housed there.  Perhaps this bridge can be saved, if you believe in miracles!

Sanborn Bridge

Last legs.

There use to be a real estate office on the bridge!  Now there is a police line! Do not cross.

Our final stop in Lyndon is the Randall Bridge.  Also in pretty tough shape.  We just did a drive-by.  Funny that most of the Lyndon bridges were open sided.

Randall Bridge - looking east

We actually saw 15 bridges today.  I will be writing about the rest of our day in two more posts.  Let's just say we took a detour. Stopped by the oldest continually operating general store in America. Bought some fudge. And toured Tunbridge, where there are a ton of bridges!  Total bridges 68.  Be looking for another post on Tuesday. Happy travels.

Nancy