Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Sequin Bridge
Current Status: Open
Location: Charlotte, on Roscoe Road
Crosses: Lewis Creek
GPS: 44.288949N, 73.150126W
Built: 1849 Length: 70.5 feet
Truss Design: Burr arch
WGN*: VT-04-02 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
The Sequin bridge is the virtual twin of its "sister" downstream (Quinlan's Bridge). Built at the same time, and using very specific construction characteristics, it was most assuredly built by the same person. Record of the builder's name is lost.
Like many other covered bridges, it has a variety of names. The most common alternative name is "Seguin". According to a plaque installed in the bridge by the town, that name derives from the Seguin family that owned land in the area. How the 'g' transformed into a 'q' is unknown, but the misspelling now persists. I have listed it here with a 'q' because that is how it is listed on the National Register.
Other names over the years include Prindle Corners Bridge, Upper Bridge and Brown's Bridge. There is a Prindle Road just a little north of the bridge, and a tiny cluster of homes and farms called Prindle Corners nearby. Upper Bridge refers to the fact that it is upstream from Quinlan's Bridge. Where the name Brown's Bridge comes from is unknown... maybe another landowner.
The Burr arch bridge received some repairs at about the same time as Quinlan's Bridge (1949-50) and more later in 1994, but thus far, it has not had the need for steel I-beam support like Quinlan's. This could be due to the fact that the Sequin Bridge is much more remote and not used as much. However, on the day I first visited, I noticed that nearly every knee brace either was broken, had red paint transfer on it, or was completely missing. Obviously an over-sized vehicle crossed the bridge, and thankfully didn't cause even more damage.
In the summer and fall of 2016 the bridge was closed for major repairs due to insect rot. It was re-opened in December.
Visiting the bridge:
Just upstream from the bridge is a small falls/flume, which beckoned a little exploring. I noticed a large rusty gear in the water which may have come from the various mills that once existed upstream. I also found a little pothole in the rocks that form the banks of the creek that was filled with rusty square-headed nails--the type that were used back in the day. Of course, they still make those for people who want to use them to replicate an antique look so I'm not sure if they really are old or just placed there by somebody. I left them alone just in case. I didn't feel any need to take or move them.
The roads leading to the bridge in either direction are dirt and gravel. And there's a lot of it. Keep this in mind if you are planning on visiting via motorcycle. Some sections of the roads are in deep woods where dirt doesn't get a chance to be dried out by the sun and packed down. I also encountered a woman on horseback on the road, so keep the speed down!
There is an area to park on the north side of the bridge.