Upper Falls Covered Bridge
Weathersfield, VT
WGN Number: 45-14-08
Photo by Jennifer Bushey Parker © 2019
The Upper Falls or Downers Bridge stands high over the Black River. It is worthwhile to take a walk down to the rivers edge, where the abutments can be viewed. Notice the foundations along the river bank.
Ed Barna notes that the bridge "was extensively restored in 1975 - 1976 by Milton Graton and Associates, of Ashland New Hampshire. They rebuilt the trusses, raised the bridge 2.5 feet so water could not flow in and damage the timbers, and reframed the floor system with heavier timbers." (Barna, E. (1996) Covered Bridges of Vermont. Woodstock, Vermont: The Countryman Press. pg. 133)
The Covered Spans of Yesteryear website adds that "This bridge was originally constructed with four auxiliary bracing buttresses. Those may have been removed during restoration by Milton Graton in 1975."
Most recently bridge was closed for renovation in summer of 2007. The renovation work involved received new chords, floor system, roof, and siding was done by Wright Construction of Mt. Holly, Vermont. Work on the abutments was scheduled for the spring of 2008.
Upper Falls Covered Bridge Vital Statistics
| Town: | Weathersfield |
| Location: | Upper Falls Road |
| Crossing: | Black River |
| Date: | c. 1840 |
| Builder: | James Tasker |
| Truss Type: | Town lattice |
| Truss Length: | 120 feet |
| Other Names: | Downers |
| National Register of Historical Places Listing Date: | August 28, 1973 |
| Date Renovated: | 2007 |
| Renovation Contractor: | Wright Construction Mt Holly, Vermont |
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.
