Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Creamery Bridge
 September 2015 |  September 2015 |
|---|---|
 September 2015 |  September 2015 |
 September 2015 |
Current Status: Pedestrian Only
Location: Brattleboro, at Route 9 and Guilford St
Crosses: Whetstone Brook
GPS: 42.849737N, 72.586021W
Built: 1879 Length: 80 feet
Truss Design: Town lattice
WGN*: VT-13-01 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
Creamery Bridge is situated on a very busy corridor between Brattleboro and West Brattleboro. Built in 1879, it probably saw it's fair share of traffic back in the day, but nothing compared to modern times. However, being nearby (and named for) a creamery, it probably saw heavy loads of raw milk being brought to town for processing.
Evidence that traffic was heavy, even back then, is the addition of the pedestrian walkway in 1917. Keep in mind, that automobiles had barely even been invented, let alone prevalent in Vermont at that time. So to provide safe passage for pedestrians separate from the main span says something about the use this bridge received.
I can find no information about major repairs made to the bridge, or whether it had been reinforced to handle traffic. By modern times, the road that the bridge was on had become a very busy shortcut between Routes 5 and 9, which allowed people to bypass the center of town and its rat's nest of streets. A study by the state in the 1990s recommended that the bridge be bypassed. It remained in service until 2010 when it was finally retired and bypassed by a steel and concrete bridge. It now lives a more peaceful life as a picnic area.
Visiting the bridge:
Being essentially right in town, the bridge is hard to miss. Copious parking is available nearby at the town's Living Memorial Park. From there it is a very short walk to the bridge.
Bring a lunch and relax at one of the picnic tables inside!