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Maine - Covered Bridges

Acadia/Bar Harbor/Down East Aroostook Maine Highlands Western Lakes/Mountains


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.

ACADIA/BAR HARBOR/DOWN EAST    top of listings

Robyville Bridge
Cushman Road
Corinth, ME  04427

Location: About three miles northwest of Kenduskeag Village

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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.



AROOSTOOK    top of listings

Watson Settlement Bridge
Carson Road
Littleton, ME  04730

Location: Southeast of Littleton

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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.



MAINE HIGHLANDS    top of listings

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

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

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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.



WESTERN LAKES/MOUNTAINS    top of listings

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

Location: Southwest of Windham off River Road

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.



Arlo Guthrie & Family --Portland
November 20, 2009
Artfull Gifts Gift Show – Camden-Belfast
November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009
Big-Time Vaudeville with Michael Trautman and Michael Menes -- Gardiner
November 21, 2009
Ringing in the Season -- Bath
November 21, 2009
Fine Art and Craft Show by Designing Women -- Freeport
November 21, 2009
Frozen Turkey Hunt – Boothbay
November 21, 2009
Pianist Peter Serkin -- Portland
November 22, 2009
United Maine Craftsmen's Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show -- Brewer
November 27, 2009 to November 28, 2009
Holiday Tree Lighting -- Portland
November 27, 2009
Local Craft & Wares Fair – Bethel
November 27, 2009
Lighting of the Nubble -- York
November 28, 2009
Sparkle Weekend -- Freeport
December 4, 2009 to December 5, 2009
Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration -- Orono
December 5, 2009
Chester Greenwood Day -- Farmington
December 5, 2009
Choral Art Society presents Christmas at the Cathedral -- Portland
December 5, 2009 to December 6, 2009
Winter Wonderlands Holiday Tea -- Boothbay
December 5, 2009
Christmas by the Sea – Ogunquit
December 11, 2009 to December 12, 2009
Holiday Tea -- Kennebunk
December 13, 2009
The Victorian Nutcracker – Portland
December 16, 2009
Click here for a full list of events.

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