Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Hopkins Bridge
As you visit the many covered bridges in Montgomery, one might think to include the Hopkins Bridge as one of them, but it is actually just over the town line in Enosburg to the north. Route 118 just "clips" the northeast corner of the town, and before you know it, you have exited Montgomery, passed through a small piece of Enosburg and are then in Berkshire.
This Town lattice bridge was originally built in 1875 by Sheldon and Savannah Jewett... brothers who built several other covered bridges in the area.
Current Status: Open
Location: Enosburg, on Hopkins Bridge Road
Crosses: Trout River
GPS: 44.920608N, 72.672942W
Built: 1999 Length: 90.5 feet
Truss Design: Town lattice
WGN*: VT-06-01#2 NRHP**: not eligible
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
In 1993 it was ordered closed due to "overstressing" and a temporary bridge installed to serve the one farm on the other side. In 1999 it was completely rebuilt by Renaud Brothers of Vernon, Vermont, but I can't find any detailed information about it at this time. It is apparent that not enough of the original timbers could be saved as it is now considered a replacement bridge. The strength of the new bridge is quite evident when inside or driving over it. It is quite large and after over 10 years since the rebuild, it still smelled strongly of new wood.
One popular anecdote regarding the bridge involves signs commonly posted on covered bridges that spelled out fines for speeding. A man who apparently consistently disregarded the sign posted on the Hopkins Bridge was hauled into court to pay a $5 fine. He gave the judge $10 and told him to keep it as he was going back through the bridge in 15 minutes.
Visiting the bridge:
The bridge can't be missed as you are heading north on Route 118 out of Montgomery. Hopkins Bridge Road is dirt, and not well traveled, so it may not be in the best of condition. However, you don't have to travel much of it since the bridge is right off Route 118.
Parking is ample as the approaches to the temporary bridge that was installed during the rebuild are still there. They now allow you to park on either side of the bridge, and not be in the road. Crossing and inspecting the bridge on foot should not be a problem as there is only a farm on the other side and thus, rarely any traffic.