Connecticut’s longest covered bridge is also its most photographed. The West Cornwall Covered Bridge is a wooden covered lattice truss that runs 172 feet over the Housatonic River in the town of Cornwall. Here are a few facts about this covered bridge.
Bridges have been built at this location since 1762. It’s believed one bridge was washed away during a flood in 1837. Historical records indicate a replacement bridge– Hart Bridge– was built in 1841.
Trip Advisor / Bill B
The current incarnation of the bridge has been around since 1864. With the growth of the railroad industry, the town of Cornwall began to flourish, which called for the need of a steady and reliable bridge into town.
Trip Advisor / Chris B
The State of Connecticut considered replacing the bridge in 1968. Through the efforts of a local committee with their focus on saving the bridge, the Connecticut Department of Transportation decided to keep and renovate the bridge.
Trip Advisor / Visilea
The bridge was raised up two extra feet and steel supports were added. In 1973, the renovation project was awarded the Federal Highway Administration’s award for “Outstanding Historic Preservation.”
Wikimedia Commons / By Nimbus905 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
The covered bridge has continued to stand steadfast, despite many brushes with destructive disaster that could have ruined it. These include flooding from the 1938 New England Hurricane, an oil truck falling through the bridge floor in 1945, a flood in 1955 caused by Hurricanes Connie and Diane, and a 1961 ice jam that had to be dynamited.
Trip Advisor / Swedishtomcat
In 1975, the West Cornwall Covered Bridge was registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Trip Advisor / Chris B
While you’re visiting and discovering further historic details behind the Cornwall Covered Bridge, bring a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying the scenery beside the Housatonic River. You can also stop by the nearby Covered Bridge Electric Bike for some coffee and rent a bike to visit the town of Cornwall.
Trip Advisor / Bill B
Trip Advisor / Chris B
Trip Advisor / Visilea
Wikimedia Commons / By Nimbus905 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip Advisor / Swedishtomcat
If you’d like to get an even better view of the bridge, check out this beautiful video from Robison Imagery on Vimeo:
West Cornwall Covered Bridge from Robison Imagery on Vimeo.
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Address: West Cornwall Covered Bridge, Housatonic River, Connecticut, West Cornwall, CT 06796, USA
