Charlotte in Chittenden County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Holmes Creek Bridge

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2024

1. Holmes Creek Bridge Marker

Inscription. The Holmes Creek Bridge, built circa 1870, is 41 feet long and 12 feet wide, a width specified by the selectmen of the day to allow passage of a “load of hay, high and wide.” There may have been an 1840 bridge at this site but town records cannot verify it. The Holmes Creek Bridge is reputed to be the shortest covered highway bridge in use in New England. At 112 feet above sea level it is the lowest altitude covered bridge in Vermont.

Another unique feature is the kingpost tied-arch construction, rare in its time. This refers to a tie below the deck comprising a stringer which runs the length of the bridge and whose ends are supported by abutments.

The Holmes family operated a successfull apple orchard just southwest of the bridge in the late 1800s. This orchard was purported to be the largest in New England, shipping apples to distant places. At the point of land west of the bridge are submerged pilings of a long pier where boats docked to load the fruit.

Erected by Town of Charlotte, VT.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts

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• Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 44° 19.977′ N, 73° 16.939′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, Vermont, in Chittenden County. It is on Lake Road ¼ mile north of Holmes Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1473 Lake Rd, Charlotte VT 05445, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Champlain Valley

and in Greater Burlington.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: World War Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Moses Pierson (approx. 2.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Quinlan Schoolhouse (approx. 2.3 miles away); Willsborough Block House (approx. 3.4 miles away in New York); Site of Willsborough Blockhouse (approx. 3.4 miles away in New York); The Charlotte Whale (approx. 3.6 miles away); Circus Building (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.

Also see . . . Holmes Creek Covered Bridge (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the bridge, which was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Hugh H. Henry, Vermont

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2024

2. Holmes Creek Bridge Marker

Division of Historic Sites; via National Park Service) (Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Holmes Creek Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 4, 2024

3. The Holmes Creek Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.