Springfield in Otsego County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Hyde Hall Covered Bridge

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2011

1. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Marker

Inscription.
Built by Andrew Alden, Lorenzo Bates and Cyrenus Clark in 1825, the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is not only the oldest existing covered bridge in New York State, but in the United States. Restored in 1967 by the State of New York and placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1998.

Erected 2006 by New York State Covered Bridge Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.

Location. 42° 47.405′ N, 74° 51.869′ W. Marker is in Springfield, New York, in Otsego County. It is on Glimmerglass State Park Road 0.4 miles north of County Road 31, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cooperstown NY 13326, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Mohawk Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western

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Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Hyde Hall Covered Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Deep Pockets (approx. half a mile away); Hyde Hall (approx. half a mile away); Brittle Veneer (approx. half a mile away); Hop To It! (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Hyde Hall (approx. half a mile away); Welcome Home! (approx. half a mile away); Sunken Island (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Regarding Hyde Hall Covered Bridge. The Hyde Hall bridge was reportedly built in 1825 as part of the 1817-1835 construction of George Hyde Clarke's county estate, Hyde Hall, on the northern shore of Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York. It is believed to be the oldest extant wooden covered bridge in the United States. Hyde Hall, a National Historic Landmark,

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2011

2. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Marker

In the background is the modern bypass, spaning Shadow Brook, which was built in 1965 when New York State developed Glimmerglass State Park.

is considered the finest example of a neo-Classical country estate in the country. Hyde Hall bridge was built as a vehicular bridge, but was bypassed in 1965 and presently used as a pedestrian bridge. The bridge and surrounding property was acquired by New York State in 1963 and became part of Glimmerglass State Park.

This is a single span, single lane, Burr arch-truss covered wood bridge on stone abutments. The total length of the structure is 53-6" with a clear span of 39'-0". The bridge is framed in the manner patented by Theodore Burr in 1817. It is supported by combination arch and lattice trusses on each side. The sides are covered on the exterior with narrow clapboards and the gable roof is shingled. End walls over the entrances are covered with horizontal boarding, cut to make elliptical headed entrances. The covered bridge was built on the original road to the Hyde Hall mansion. In 2011 the bridge was 186 years old.

Also see . . . Hyde Hall Covered Bridge (NY-39-01). New York State Covered Bridge Society (Submitted on June 12, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)

The Hyde Hall Covered Bridge image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2011

3. The Hyde Hall Covered Bridge

Southern facing portal, view to the north.
This Cooperstown website entry:
Click for more information.

The Hyde Hall Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2011

4. The Hyde Hall Covered Bridge

The Hyde Hall bridge spans the Shadow Brook a short distance upstream from where it flows into Otsego Lake in Glimmerglass State Park.

Hyde Hall Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1958

5. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge

Library of Congress [HABS NY,39-SPRIFE,1B-1]

Detail of the Burr arch-truss which supports the bridge. image. Click for full size.

Historic American Buildings Survey, circa 1958

6. Detail of the Burr arch-truss which supports the bridge.

Library of Congress [HABS NY,39-SPRIFE,1B-2]

Hyde Hall Covered Bridge spans the placid Shadow Brook image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jet Lowe, June 2003

7. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge spans the placid Shadow Brook

Library of Congress, Historic American Engineering Record [HAER NY-330-5]

Hyde Hall Covered Bridge in the Evening image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, September 7, 2018

8. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge in the Evening

Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 10, 2011

9. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Marker Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 4,555 times since then and 188 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 12, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 8. submitted on September 9, 2018, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 9. submitted on June 12, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.