Ancient Advertising in Covered Bridges

East Fairfield Covered Bridge [45-06-03]

 

What posters were pasted on the inside of the west gable siding of the East Fairfield Covered Bridge? Unless a long-time resident of the village will tell us we may never know.

In the course of the reconstruction of the old bridge the siding was removed, stacked, and taken away, the ancient paste-ups and stenciled advertisements with it.

Subsequently, VCBS Life Member Rae Laitres and her husband Richard sorted through the lumber stack at contractor Blow and Cote's storage building. They found one board with part of the paste-up still adhering. Ms. Laitres is putting her find in a safe place.

Asked why she went to so much trouble, Rae replied; "I love covered bridges and I love history. I couldn't let this piece of history to just disappear."

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Also in the bridge were siding stringers with old ad stencils in black paint.

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Tatered Spavin Cure posters were found tacked to tie-beams. These were preserved on film by Joe Nelson after the bridge roof and siding were removed. The most intact Spavin Cure posters were carefully taken down by Nathan Cote and given into the custody of the VCBS for preservation. Our thanks to Nathan.