Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Victorian Village Bridge
Current Status: Open (private)
Location: Rockingham, off Route 103
Crosses: unnamed brook / drainage ditch
GPS: 43.196869N, 72.504113W
Built: 1967 Length: 43.5 feet
Truss Design: kingpost (modified)
WGN*: VT-13-23 NRHP**: not eligible
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
The bridge which now stands at the Vermont Country Store location in Rockingham started off its existence as the Depot Bridge.
Originally built in 1872, the Depot Bridge was located in West Townshend... presumably near a railroad depot. In 1959 it was slated for removal from its site to make way for a US Army Corps of Engineers flood control project. The dam near the Scott Bridge is part of this project.
Vrest Orton, who founded the Vermont Country Store, was also at the time the chairman of the Vermont Historic Sites Commission. He arranged to have the bridge dismantled and stored in Aubrey Stratton's barn so that it could be possibly reused at some point in the future.
In 1967, when the Vermont Country Store's Rockingham location was built, a good use for the Depot Bridge came about. Mr. Stratton replaced a small uncovered bridge on the store's property by using the timbers of the former Depot Bridge to construct the one standing today. Originally, 85 feet long, and of queenpost truss design, the bridge was modified and shortened to accommodate the space. The resulting kingpost design is unique in that it does not utilize a wooden post as the kingpost, but rather an iron rod is used similar to how it would be in a Howe truss.
Visiting the bridge:
The Vermont Country Store is a popular tourist stop, especially in the summer, so finding it will be no problem. You can't miss the bridge, standing adjacent to the main road.
The bridge now serves as one of the entrances to the store, and also is a link from the main parking area to supplemental overflow parking.
A walkway is typically roped off inside the bridge to separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. When exploring, make note of the codes painted on the wooden members. The bridge was marked as it was disassembled so that it could be reassembled properly. The Shelburne Museum Bridge, having been moved from its original location has similar markings.