Woodstock in Windsor County, Vermont — The American Northeast (New England)

Middle Bridge

Photographed by Conrad Ward, November 30, 2024

1. Middle Bridge Marker

Inscription.

Middle Bridge. . Middle Bridge over the Ottauquechee River Woodstock, Vermont. Several covered bridges spanned the Ottauquechee River at this point. The 1877 iron bridge which succeeded them was condemned in 1966. Estimates for a modern concrete and steel span started at $75,000, whereas this comparable wooden bridge was constructed for approximately $65,000. The State of Vermont paid 80% of the cost and the balance was raised by private subscription. Full State specifications of 15-ton capacity have been more than fulfilled. The roadway is 14' 5" with a 5' sidewalk., Graton Associates of Ashland, N.H., the designers and builders, have had extensive experience in repairing and moving covered spans. This was their first complete building project and it employs the Town Truss construction, named for the noted 19th century bridge designer, Ithiel Town. The span is the first truly authentic highway covered bridge to be built in either New Hampshire or Vermont since 1895. There is no functional metal in the trusses, the lattice members being held in place with some 1,400 trunnels, turned from 23 white oak trees from New Hampshire. The necessary 80,000 board feet of lumber is mostly Douglas fir from Oregon., The estimated weight of one side member is 19 tons. Total weight of the bridge is approximately 100 tons and the length of the bridge is 150 feet. It was assembled on Union St. and ox-drawn across the river on cribwork in June of 1969., In May of 1974, on the night of the Firemen’s Ball, the bridge was set afire by a group of local youths. The roof and siding was destroyed and extensive damage was done to the lattice trusses on the north end. Fortunately, Mr. Graton’s genius was available for the intricate reconstruction, but the cost of repairs exceeded $87,000. Some few thousand of this was retrieved by court order as a percentage of the wages during a two-year period of those old enough to work., Even after the fire, the State has rated the span at 16-ton capacity, and there is still no structural steel in the bridge., (Visit Woodstock’s two other venerable covered bridges , about 4 miles east and west on U.S. Route 4).

Middle Bridge
over the Ottauquechee River
Woodstock, Vermont
Several covered bridges spanned the Ottauquechee River at this point. The 1877 iron bridge which succeeded them was condemned in 1966. Estimates for a modern concrete and steel span started at $75,000, whereas this comparable wooden bridge was constructed for approximately $65,000. The State of Vermont paid 80% of the cost and the balance was raised by private subscription. Full State specifications of 15-ton capacity have been more than fulfilled. The roadway is 14' 5" with a 5' sidewalk.

Graton Associates of Ashland, N.H., the designers and builders, have had extensive experience in repairing and moving covered spans. This was their first complete building project and it employs the Town Truss construction, named for the noted 19th century bridge designer, Ithiel Town. The span is the first truly authentic highway covered bridge to be built in either New Hampshire or Vermont since 1895.
There is no functional metal in the trusses, the lattice members being held in place with some 1,400 trunnels, turned from 23 white oak trees from New Hampshire. The

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necessary 80,000 board feet of lumber is mostly Douglas fir from Oregon.

The estimated weight of one side member is 19 tons. Total weight of the bridge is approximately 100 tons and the length of the bridge is 150 feet. It was assembled on Union St. and ox-drawn across the river on cribwork in June of 1969.

In May of 1974, on the night of the Firemen’s Ball, the bridge was set afire by a group of local youths. The roof and siding was destroyed and extensive damage was done to the lattice trusses on the north end. Fortunately, Mr. Graton’s genius was available for the intricate reconstruction, but the cost of repairs exceeded $87,000. Some few thousand of this was retrieved by court order as a percentage of the wages during a two-year period of those old enough to work.

Even after the fire, the State has rated the span at 16-ton capacity, and there is still no structural steel in the bridge.

(Visit Woodstock’s two other venerable covered bridges — about 4 miles east and west on U.S. Route 4)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Charity & Public Work • Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1969.

Location. 43° 37.479′ N,

Photographed by Conrad Ward, November 30, 2024

2. Middle Bridge Marker

72° 31.213′ W. Marker is in Woodstock, Vermont, in Windsor County. It is at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and The Green (U.S. 4), on the right when traveling east on Mountain Avenue. Located on the walkway on the north sideof the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodstock VT 05091, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Vermont’s Connecticut River Valley

and in the Green Mountains.

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 walking distance of this marker: The Fitch House (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodstock (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); Lafayette's Tour (about 400 feet away); The White Cupboard Inn (about 500 feet away); Stone Turnpike Marker (about 500 feet away); Woodstock History Center (about 600 feet

Middle Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, November 30, 2024

3. Middle Bridge

(southeast end)

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodstock.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, November 30, 2024

4. Middle Bridge Marker

(northwest end)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 180 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.