These 10 Covered Bridges in New York will Transport You Back in Time - A-Z Animals

If you’ve ever encountered a covered bridge, you’re probably familiar with the nostalgia and romantic sense of wonder that these old structures impart. The New York State Covered Bridge Society defines an authentic covered bridge as: “a bridge originally constructed as a self-supporting, wooden-truss system, covered bridge; built to convey public traffic and/or has significant and intrinsic historic value to the area.” Covered bridges are captivating relics from centuries past. Read on to discover 10 covered bridges in New York that will transport you back in time.

1. Newfield Covered Bridge

Samuel Hamm & Sons, David Dassance, and Patchen Parsons built the beautiful Newfield Covered Bridge was built in Tompkins County between 1851 and 1853. Like many other covered bridges, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It still receives daily traffic, making it the oldest surviving covered bridge that is still active.

2. Hamden Covered Bridge

The Hamden Covered Bridge is nestled in the Catskills Mountains. Robert Murray built it across the West Branch of the Delaware River in 1859. It measures 128 feet long and is the only covered bridge in New York to have a long truss that is not supported by any additional trusses. Be sure to stop by this wonderful bridge during your next Catskills hike!

3. Jay Covered Bridge

For more than 160 years, people have been using the Jay Covered Bridge to cross over the Ausable River. Built in 1857 by George M. Burt, this remarkable bridge is located near Jay Falls, a series of small waterfalls in the Adirondack Mountains. Cyclists and pedestrians continue to make use of this lovely bridge.

4. Hyde Hall Covered Bridge

Cooperstown’s Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is the oldest covered bridge in the state of New York. In fact, it’s the oldest one in the entire country! Andrew Alden, Lorenzo Bates, and Cyrenus Clark built it in 1825, and is one of three covered bridges in New York that features horizontal siding. This 53-foot-long bridge still stands in its original location in Glimmerglass State Park.

5. Halls Mills Covered Bridge

Named after a Quaker preacher named John Hall, the Halls Mills Covered Bridge is located in Neversink, New York. David Benton, James Knight, and George Horbeck constructed the bridge in 1912. The main span of the Halls Mills Covered Bridge is 119 feet long, and it features six buttresses on either side.

6. Perrine’s Covered Bridge

Located in the Town of New Paltz, Perrine’s Covered Bridge is the second oldest covered bridge in the state of New York. Rosencranz Wood built the bridge in the late 1840’s. It was named after James Perrine, a son of French immigrants who ran a hotel and tavern nearby.

7. Blenheim Covered Bridge

The longest clear-span covered bridge in New York, and one of the longest in the world, is the Blenheim Covered Bridge, which spans 210 feet. Nicholas Montgomery Powers built the Old Blenheim Bridge in 1855. It was among the oldest covered bridges in New York until 2011, when flooding from Hurricanes Irene and Lee destroyed it. In 2017, FEMA built an exact replica of the original bridge.

8. Mill Brook Covered Bridge

The charming Mill Brook Covered Bridge is located in the Town of Hardenbergh in Ulster County. It was once called the Grants Mill Covered Bridge, and was built in 1902 by Wesley Alton, Edgar Marks, and Orrin Marks. In 1991, Bob Vredenburgh, the grandson of Orrin Marks, took it upon himself to restore the bridge. This piece of local history carries many stories in its frame, as is witnessed by the plentiful names written on the treenails (nail-like wood fasteners).

9. Copeland Farm Bridge

Edinburg’s Copeland Farm Bridge has a special history. Arad Copeland built it in 1879 to allow his cows to walk over Beecher Creek to pasture. It remained in the Copeland family until 1997, when they entrusted it to the Edinburg Historical Society.

10. Buskirk Covered Bridge

The beautiful Buskirk Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge in New York that connects two counties. It spans 158 feet across the Hoosic River, connecting Rensellaer County and Washington County. It was built in 1857, and was named after a Revolutionary War veteran named Martin van Buskirk.

Summary of 10 Covered Bridges in New York that will Transport You Back in Time

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