Hop In The Car And Visit 6 Of Massachusetts' Covered Bridges In One Day
By Melissa Mahoney|Published September 06, 2022
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Since the late 1700s, over 100 covered bridges were built around the Bay State. Over time, however, not many have survived. With only a few left, and mostly located in the western part of the state, we decided to put together a covered bridges road trip in Massachusetts. You’ll be able to see six of these historic charmers along the way. Ready to go?
This road trip will start in the town of Hardwick and end in Sheffield. The route is nearly 160 miles and will take just over four hours of driving time to complete. Feel free to use the interactive map as your guide and add your own stops along the way!
The first stop along this covered bridges road trip is the Ware-Hardwick Covered Bridge. At 137 feet long, it is the longest covered bridge in Massachusetts. Originally built in 1886, it spans across the Ware River.
As the last Burr arch-truss bridge left in the state, the Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge is a must-visit. It's a stunning work of architecture that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Visit the Western Mass Scenic Byway website to learn more.
Also known as the "Pumping Station Bridge," the Eunice Williams Covered Bridge is considered one of the most haunted bridges in Massachusetts. The bridge is named after Eunice Williams who was murdered while crossing the Green River, over which the covered bridge was eventually placed. You can find a commemorative marker dedicated to Eunice close by.
Built in 1870, the Burkeville Covered Bridge is the oldest surviving covered bridge in Massachusetts. While time and the elements can take their toll on structures like this, the Burkeville Covered Bridge was restored and reopened in 2013 after it was closed down for some time.
The Bissell Covered Bridge may not be as old and historic as some of the others on this trip, but it is no less spectacular to see in person. Built in the 1950s, it crosses over Mill Brook and is open to pedestrians only. You can learn more on the Charlemont Massachusetts website.
6. Upper Sheffield Bridge, Sheffield
Covered Bridge Lane, Covered Bridge Ln, Sheffield, MA 01257, USA
As another newer bridge, the Upper Sheffield Bridge was built in 1999 over the Housatonic River and is only open to pedestrians. The original bridge had been built in 1832 but was destroyed by a fire in 1994.
Are you ready to take this covered bridge road trip in Massachusetts? What is your favorite bridge in the state? Tell us in the comments!
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