Lyndon Covered Bridge | St Johnsbury

Information

Landmark: Lyndon Covered Bridge
City: St Johnsbury
Country: USA Vermont
Continent: North America

Lyndon Covered Bridge, St Johnsbury, USA Vermont, North America

The Lyndon Covered Bridge is a historic wooden covered bridge located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. It spans the Sleepers River.

Visual Characteristics

The bridge is a Town lattice truss design, constructed from timber. It measures approximately 130 feet in length and 20 feet in width. The exterior is painted a traditional red, with exposed wooden beams visible from the interior.

Location & Access Logistics

The bridge is situated approximately 2 miles west of downtown St. Johnsbury, accessible via US Route 2. Parking is available on the north side of the bridge at a small gravel lot. No public transport directly serves the bridge; access requires private vehicle or taxi.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed in 1895 by the York and Whitney Company, the bridge's original purpose was to provide a protected crossing for horse-drawn traffic and pedestrians over the Sleepers River, mitigating weather-related damage to the wooden structure. The Sleepers River is a tributary of the Passumpsic River, part of the Connecticut River watershed.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk or cycle across the bridge. Photography of the bridge's architecture and the surrounding river valley is a primary activity. The area offers opportunities for observing local flora and fauna along the riverbanks.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no restrooms or food vendors directly at the bridge site. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the vicinity. Limited shade is provided by the bridge structure itself.

Best Time to Visit

For photography, late afternoon offers favorable lighting conditions due to the sun's angle. Spring and autumn provide pleasant weather for visits, with autumn foliage offering enhanced visual appeal. No tide considerations apply.

Facts & Legends

A local anecdote suggests that during its construction, workers would often gather inside the bridge during storms, finding it a secure and dry place to rest. The bridge has undergone several restorations, with the most significant in 1974.