Covered Bridges on Two Wheels
A photographic journey to Vermont's Covered Bridges
Willard Bridge
Current Status: Open
Location: Hartland, on Mill Street
Crosses: Ottauquechee River
GPS: 43.593851N, 72.349353W
Built: 1870 Length: 128 feet
Truss Design: Town lattice
WGN*: VT-14-02 NRHP**: Yes
* WGN: World Guide to Covered Bridges Number
**NRHP: Listed on National Register of Historic Places
When you visit this bridge, you will actually first come across its "twin"... see the Willard Twin Bridge for that one.
Although there is uncertainty about the build date of this bridge, town records seem to indicate it as 1870 (despite the 1871 date on the portals). It was named for the Willard family, prominent in the area. Now that a second covered bridge has been re-erected on the adjacent river crossing, this one is sometimes called the "East Twin".
At this location, the Ottauquechee River was dammed, with a woolen mill, the ruins of which can be found east of this bridge, taking advantage of the impoundment which resulted. Later, the Ottauqueeche Hydroelectric station was established here.
In my research, I have not found any evidence of major repairs needed to this bridge. It has stood the test of time well, unlike its sister. More about that in the write-up for the Willard Twin Bridge.
Visiting the bridge:
Parking for the "twin bridges" can be had in a small turnout between the two. Mill Street is paved - at least until you get through the second of the two bridges, where it turns into dirt/gravel.
I found traffic to be light when I visited, but this road does serve several residences, so they are used. Both bridges are fairly wide, with guardrails on either side of the floor, so getting out of the way of a vehicle is possible.
If you continue past this bridge you find a rudimentary one-lane path diving down and to the right. This is a farm field access road which you can follow up to a point where it splits. Follow the right fork and you'll end up at an unofficial recreation area that opens up to a "pebble beach". This is the vantage point from which I took the third photo in the slide show above. I walked down there instead of driving (plus I wasn't going to take my motorcycle down a tractor path). It turned to be not very far on foot. When I visited this area, it seemed like the type of place that youth might gather - and not necessarily clean cut ones, if you know what I mean. I don't want to discourage you from trying, but just be aware of my impression of the area and decide for yourself.