Fisher Covered Bridge
Wolcott, VT
WGN Number: 45-08-16
Photo by Joe Nelson © 1997
The Fisher Bridge is one of two remaining covered railroad bridges in Vermont. The large timber dimensions and doubled lattice of the Town-Pratt truss make it very sturdy - in fact, a bridge restorer called it probably the strongest wooden bridge in the state. Ed Barna notes that the bridge has a "full length cupola, the only one of its kind, (to help) carry away smoke, especially in the era of steam engines". ¹
This bridge has quite a storied history. The bridge names, Chubb and Fisher, came from families that once lived in the area. Originally the bridge was part of the St. Johnsbury and Lamoille County Railroad. In 1968 the bridge was saved from destruction and preservation work was completed by the new owners. Work at that time involved "the installation of two steel spans with the center ends resting on new piles driven into the riverbed. Opening ceremonies were held on October 17, 1968". ¹ ². The bridge continued in use well into the 1990's.
In 2001 the bridge had work done on the roof and internal rafters: About The Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge.
There was significant work done to the bridge starting in 2021. This work was done to make the bridge a part of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. Follow this link for a description of the work required to make the bridge sutible for the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail: The Wolcott Covered Railroad Bridge has been programmed for a project as part of the conversion of the Lamoille Valley RR into the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
Footnotes:- Covered Bridges of Vermont (Barna, E. (1996) Covered Bridges of Vermont. Woodstock, Vermont: The Countryman Press pg. 192)
- Covered Bridges of Lamoille County (Hagerman, Robert E. (1972) Covered Bridges of Lamoille County. Morrisville, Vermont: Robert L. Hagerman pg. 26,27)
Fisher Covered Bridge Vital Statistics
| Town: | Wolcott |
| Location: | Route 15 |
| Crossing: | Lamoille River |
| Date: | 1908 |
| Builder: | Pratt Construction |
| Truss Type: | Town-Pratt lattice |
| Truss Length: | 103 feet 6 inches |
| Other Names: | Chubb |
| National Register of Historical Places Listing Date: | October 1, 1974 |
| Date Rehabilitated: | 2021/2023 |
Credits: All pictures, information and descriptions are taken from Spanning Time Vermont's Covered Bridges by Joseph C. Nelson ©1997 and the World Guide to Covered Bridges - 2009 unless otherwise specified.
