The Creation

The Creation. . , The "Queen of Covered Bridges", the Old Blenheim Bridge was built in 1855 by Nichols Montgomery Powers, a master bridge builder from Vermont who made history by constructing the world's longest wooden single span covered bridge, here in Blenheim., Local businessmen formed the Blenheim Bridge Company in 1828. Major Dickerman had a problem transporting hemlock bark to his tannery in the village of North Blenheim. He, along with other businessmen and farmers found it difficult to ford the Schoharie Creek with heavy wagon loads. They engaged Mr. Powers with a contract for $6,000 to build the bridge., The structure was first assembled on nearby land, rebuilt over the creek as a single center arch, 232 feet long with 2 lanes and 3 rib segments from the stone abutments to the roof., Skeptics doubted that such a long span could be sustained, calling it "Powers' Folly.”() However, when the last supports were removed, Powers sat on the ridgepole declaring, "If she goes, I'll go with her.” () The bridge held strong and settled a fraction of an inch, retaining its arch for a century and a half., “Blenheim History 1710-1991” authors Fanchon and Alicia Cornell