Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Coburn Bridge
Current Status: Open
Location: East Montpelier, on Coburn Road
Crosses: Winooski River
GPS: 44.280811N, 72.454169W
Built: 1851 Length: 69.5 feet
Truss Design: Queenpost
WGN*: VT-12-02 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
While quite a few covered bridges are named for families that lived nearby, the Coburn Bridge was not only named for a family, but for the builder as well.
East Montpelier was formed in 1849 when the Village of Montpelier became its own town. Shortly thereafter they took up the task of the usual town business, including the repair of bridges where needed. One of the bridges needing replacement was one that crossed a branch of the Winooski River and led to the Cate farm. Records are not complete as to the date this bridge was built, and subsequently lost, but it was a covered bridge at this time. Apparently replacement of the bridge was the subject of hot debate and no resolution about the matter at hand was to be had.
Homeowner and farmer Larned Coburn had built his home east of, and on the other side of the Winooski River from the Cate farm. But he also owned land on the other side of the river, and it required a long route to get to the other side in order to work the land. (Remember this was in the mid 1800's when what we consider a minor inconvenience was of greater magnitude). Coburn offered to build a bridge over the Winooski River a stone's throw from his house and give it to the town, as long as the town extended the road through the bridge so that he could get to the other half of his land. They readily agreed.
Over the years, the bridge has undergone repairs, including a major one in 1972-73 where the wooden floor was replaced by a concrete slab supported by steel beams. This was necessary due to heavy traffic from a nearby gravel pit. In the late 90's the trusses themselves, even though no longer supporting live loads, needed to be renovated.
Today, the bridge (sometimes known as the Cemetery Bridge, due to its proximity to the Cate Cemetery) stands as an example of classic Vermont bridge building. The eaves and gables are built wide enough to shed water away from the bridge, and the siding doesn't completely cover the trusses, allowing light and air into the bridge. The portals are somewhat ornate (actually very similar to the Waterville/Belvidere area bridges) and reflect pride in craftsmanship.
Visiting the bridge:
Coburn Road is a dirt shortcut used by locals between Routes 2 and 14. I didn't notice a whole lot of traffic on the road when I visited, but then again, East Montpelier is not exactly a bustling town except for people passing through. The bridge is otherwise off the beaten path.
Parking at the bridge has not been officially established. At either end are turnouts that have developed over the years. On the west (Route 14) end, a field access road branches off at the curve and a "wide spot" there allows for pulling off the main road. On the east (Route 2) end, there is a similar pull off.
If you are on a motorcycle and concerned about riding on dirt roads, approach from the Route 2 side rather than Route 14 as this end is only 6/10 of a mile to the bridge whereas the other end is a full mile.
When visiting, note how the approaches to the bridge are uphill on either side. Legend has it that the long-lost covered bridge at the Cate farm was dislodged from its abutments by a flood, and was able to pass under the Coburn bridge due to its height above the water. The Cate Bridge was reportedly dragged off the riverbank where it fetched up, back into the river, pulled upstream back under the Coburn Bridge once again, and re-installed by the frugal and resourceful people of the time. If you take the road through the bridge to the north, you will very soon come to Cate Road and see a modern concrete bridge. That was the site of the Cate Covered Bridge which took a trip down the river.