Maine - Covered Bridges

Maine protects and cherishes its remaining covered bridges

The golden age of covered bridges in America spanned the 19th century. Today, travelers and tourists of all kinds, from kids to older folks, artists to outdoorsmen, love these sturdy old bridges. They were built to ford New England’s many rivers and streams, and covered to protect the supporting wooden trusses and decks from rain and snow, thus increasing their life spans. Today, we are a source of usefulness and pride to their communities, and a pleasure for visitors, photographers, boaters, and picnickers.

At one time, Maine had about 120 covered bridges; many were lost to floods, fire, and highway modernization projects. Nine bridges remain, most of them in the western lakes and mountains region of the state. One of the most famous is known by two names: the Sunday River Bridge and the Artist’s Covered Bridge, in Newry. The bridge acquired the second name because its special beauty has made it a favorite subject for painters and photographers.

Although they are not covered bridges, a tour of Maine bridges should include a stop at the graceful, 800-foot-long Waldo-Hancock suspension bridge that carries U.S. Route 1 and Route 3 across the Penobscot River between Prospect and Verona Island. Another unique – albeit not covered – bridge is the Cobwork Bridge on Route 24, which carries traffic from Orr Island to Bailey Island. The tides and ice floes here can be so powerful that builders of this bridge created an openwork pedestal of granite blocks that allows the water to run through.

Robyville Bridge
Cushman Road
Corinth, ME  04427  

Location: About three miles northwest of Kenduskeag Village

This bridge, the only completely shingled covered bridge in the state, was built in 1876. The bridge crosses Kenduskeag Stream in Robyville Village. The bridge was reinforced in 1984 to carry local traffic. Long truss; 73 feet long.

Watson Settlement Bridge
Carson Road
Littleton, ME  04730  

Location: Southeast of Littleton

This bridge, built in 1911, is the farthest north and the newest of Maine's original covered bridges. It crosses Meduxnekeag Stream. In 1984 the bridge was closed to traffic when a new bridge was built. Howe truss; design and has two spans with a total length of 170 feet.

Low's Bridge
Off State Route 15
Guilford, ME  04443  

Location: Just off State Route 15 south of Guilford Village.

This bridge, built in 1857, was washed away by the flood of April 1, 1987. A modern covered bridge, patterned after the original, was built on the original abutments in 1990. The bridge crosses the Piscataquis River. Length of 120 feet.

Babb's Bridge
Covered Bridge Road
South Windham, ME  04062  

Location: Southwest of Windham off River Road

Babb's Bridge carries Covered Bridge Road over the Presumpscott River. This historic bridge was built in 1843; destroyed by fire in 1973; and rebuilt in 1976. One-span queenpost truss; 79 feet long.

Hemlock Bridge
Hemlock Bridge Road
Fryeburg, ME  04037  

Location: Three miles north of East Fryeburg

Hemlock Bridge, built in 1857, crosses an old channel of the Saco River near Kezar Pond. The bridge was reinforced to carry local traffic in 1988. Paddleford truss with laminated wooden arches; 109 feet long.

Lovejoy Bridge
Covered Bridge Road
South Andover, ME  04216  

Location: South of Andover

This bridge, built in 1868, spans the Ellis River. It is Maine's shortest covered bridge. The bridge was reinforced in 1984 to carry local traffic. Paddleford truss; 70 feet long.

Parsonsfield-Porter Bridge
Off Route 160
Porter, ME  04068  

Location: One-half mile south of Porter

The Parsonsfield-Porter Bridge, which crosses the Ossipee River, was built by the towns of Porter and Parsonsfield as a joint project in 1859. The bridge was closed to traffic in 1960 when a new bridge was built upstream. Paddleford truss with laminated wooden arches; 152 feet long.

Sunday River Bridge (Artist's Covered Bridge)
Sunday River Road
Newry, ME  04261  

Location: Four miles northwest of North Bethel near Routes 2 and 26

This bridge, built in 1872, crosses the Sunday River. It is named the Artist's Bridge because of its reputation as being the most photographed and painted of the venerable covered bridges in Maine. The bridge was closed to traffic in 1958 when a new bridge was built downstream. Paddleford truss; 87 feet long.