I got a lot of comments on last week’s Photo Theme, Bridges as I posted a picture of Emily’s Bridge just outside Stowe Vermont. Most wondered as to the origins and locations of covered bridges so I thought I’d fill in some details.

First off, some facts gotten from Wikepedia:

  • Covered bridges originated in central Europe (who knew) and can be found in countries like Switzerland, Bulgaria, and even Italy (hey – the Rialto is a covered bridge after all).
  • Pennsylvania is the state with the most covered bridges in the United States, 200+ but
    “Vermont has more per square than any other place in the world.”
  • Now, like you Chris and I argued over the purpose of covered bridges. I would blithely comment that maybe they were made to keep snow and things off the bridge and I wasn’t too far off. Apparently, wood bridges decay pretty quickly but if the floor of the bridge is covered by other material, can last up to eight times longer.
  • The other reason for the covered bridges – animals. Seriously, apparently, they made these bridges to look like barns (enclosed on the side) so when they would move animals (e.g., sheep, cows) across, they wouldn’t get spooked.

Emily’s Covered Bridge in Stowe

Emily's Bridge

Me on Emily’s Covered Bridge in Stowe

Also known as Gold Brook Bridge, resides just outside of Stowe on the appropriately named Covered Bridge Road (from 100 make a right on to School Street, at the corner of the store Col’d Lizard, then bear right onto Stowe Hollow Road and again on to Covered Bridge Road). I heard it gets it’s nickname from a jilted lover (aka Emily) who killed herself on the bridge (hanging) and now, apparently haunts it (i.e., don’t drive over the bridge at night). If you want to read more about Emily’s Bridge check out X-Project, Paranormal Magazine.

Biking Covered Bridges in Vermont

If anyone does happen to be in Stowe and wants to bike covered bridges, I’m including Chris’s Covered Bridges from Hell (and it really is – serious mountain climbing). Oh, and Chris warns that some of the roads turned out to be dirt, and he didn’t end up with the complete ride, but you can see where there are covered bridges – maybe you’ll want to drive it instead.