August 2024
Covered bridges were once quite popular across North America throughout the 19th century. Back when wood was inexpensive and commonly used in bridge construction, there was an obvious benefit to adding walls and roofs to slow deterioration caused by rain, snow and the sun. Covered bridges, a timber-truss structure with a roof, decking and siding, commonly have a life-span of 100 years, over five times the usual life-span of uncovered wooden bridges.
The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge, originally known as Mott Flats Bridge and more recently called the Van Tran Flat Bridge, was built by John Davidson in 1860. Located in the Hamlet of Livingston Manor, a part of the Town of Rockland, in eastern New York State, the bridge is a wooden, single span covered bridge, with a town lattice truss and laminated arch system, spanning 103 feet in length, crossing over the famous Willowemoc Creek. It has the distinction of being the oldest of the four covered bridges that remain in Sullivan County.
It was one of about 14,000 covered bridges built across America, mostly between the years of 1825 to 1875.
By the mid-1800s, wrought iron and cast iron bridges became more common, as they were cheaper than timber trusses. As these metal bridges did not need protection from the elements, so they no longer needed to be covered.
Additionally, covered bridges became obsolete because most were single-lane bridges, with low width and height clearances, and thus could not support the heavy loads of modern traffic
Like all bridges, the Livingston Manor Covered Bridge has suffered damage over the years, including due to flooding in 1925 and when a loaded truck veered off the bridge and into Willowemoc Creek on 26 August 1940. The bridge’s stone abutments were refaced with concrete in 1958.
In 1972, the bridge was closed and abandoned, with what was then New York State Route 17, now Old Route 17, had since by-passed the bridge.
The bridge was restored and re-opened to vehicular traffic in November 1985 by the Division of Public Works. Laminated arches were added to increase the capacity of the structure.
Today, there were around 700 covered bridges left, mostly in eastern and northern states.
The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Historical Park was created in the years after its restoration, adjacent to historic covered bridge. This small, passive park features picnic tables, grills, and a picnic pavilion, available for rent for a small fee. The park is also a popular spot for fishing.
Sources: Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park | Sullivan County NY (sullivanny.us), List of covered bridges in New York – Wikipedia, Van Tran Flat Bridge – Wikipedia, Visiting Livingston Manor Covered Bridge in Sullivan County – Uncovering New York.
