Information
Landmark: Paper Mill Village BridgeCity: Bennington
Country: USA Vermont
Continent: North America
Paper Mill Village Bridge, Bennington, USA Vermont, North America
Overview
Locals call it the Paper Mill Covered Bridge, and it’s one of Bennington’s most photographed landmarks-a weathered red span that’s carried stories across the river for generations, furthermore it stretches across the Walloomsac River on Murphy Road, just west of downtown Bennington, forming part of the town’s well-known trio of covered bridges with the Silk Road and Henry bridges-the ancient timbers still smelling faintly of rain and pine.Together, these three crossings create a quick scenic loop through Vermont’s rolling countryside, catching the soft glow and timeless charm of the 19th century, on top of that the Paper Mill Bridge stands close to Bennington’s ancient industrial core, where the river once ran past a row of humming mills and wet stone walls.Its name harkens back to a paper mill that once stood nearby in the mid-1800s, when the river’s steady rush of water fueled the hum and clatter of modest workshops across the valley, subsequently this afternoon feels calm-a lonely backroad draped in maple and oak shade, with the steady hum of the river drifting under the bridge, occasionally From afar, it looks like a classic novel England postcard-a red clapboard house with a steep roof, its shape mirrored softly in the still water below, and in the early morning, the approach feels almost otherworldly-fog drifts low across the river, and the bridge slowly rises from the pale mist like something waking up.When autumn hits, the hills flare with color, and the aged bridge draws leaf-peepers and photographers who pause to catch the reds and golds shimmering in the river below, as well as the Paper Mill Village Bridge was built in 1889, though earlier wooden spans probably crossed this spot as early as the early 1800s.Like plenty of Vermont bridges from that time, it uses the Town lattice truss-a crisscross of angled timbers pinned together with wood pegs, sharing the load evenly from end to end, after that patented by Ithiel Town, this design let rural builders craft sturdy, flexible bridges from local timber-planks cut right from nearby oaks-instead of relying on massive single beams.Interestingly, Stretching roughly 125 feet across and just 15 feet wide, the bridge ranks among the longest covered spans still standing in the region, its weathered planks creaking softly underfoot, equally important vertical wooden boards painted a deep barn red wrap around its sides, and square windows carved through the walls let in soft light and reveal a flash of the Walloomsac River flowing below.Inside, the lattice’s rhythmic geometry lends a hushed, cathedral-like feel, while the faint scent of ancient wood mingles with the damp breath of the river, besides at its peak, the Paper Mill Bridge carried farmers, merchants, and factory hands who depended on the Walloomsac’s steady current to drive sawmills, grind grain, and feed the paper mill that lent the setting its name, partially As far as I can tell, Every day, horse-drawn wagons rattled across the bridge, hauling crates of goods and rough bundles of raw materials.“Paper Mill Village” was the name of a miniature settlement that sprang up around those busy mills, though one by one the factories shut their doors as the 20th century moved on, then still, the bridge held firm, its steel ribs humming softly in the wind.Over the years, it turned into both a working bridge and a piece of history-one of the last wooden spans from Vermont’s first bridge-building days, as well as by the mid-20th century, years of rain, wind, and heavy traffic had started to crack its surface, leading to a series of careful restorations to keep it sound, kind of In 2000, the Paper Mill Bridge was completely rebuilt, its 1889 design faithfully recreated while the frame was reinforced to handle modern traffic and the steady hum of passing cars, besides engineers kept the wooden-lattice scan and balanced proportions, but tucked in hidden steel supports and added a fresh metal roof to make it last.Soon after, the restored bridge welcomed cars again, its steel arches gleaming in the sun as it carried traffic and stood proudly as a cherished landmark, then even with its updates, the bridge still feels genuine-the weathered wood siding, the slightly uneven boards underfoot, and the low, echoing tunnel combine to summon the unmistakable mood of the 19th century.You can observe the craftsmanship in each tight joint and smooth peg, a quiet echo of the original builders’ skill, while travelers crossing the Paper Mill Bridge often stop at the little roadside pull-off to snap a photo or watch the river slide quietly under the steel trusses.From below, the bridge catches the scene like a frame around Vermont itself-red timbers against rolling green hills, light flickering on the river’s skin, and the soft breath of wind whispering through the planks, on top of that from the riverbank, the view turns breathtaking in the late afternoon, when sunlight slides across the bridge’s red panels and they gleam like polished copper.Cyclists and walkers often link the Paper Mill Bridge with the Silk Road and Henry Covered Bridges, creating a relaxed three‑mile loop through Bennington’s gentle farmland, where horses graze in the shade and Mount Anthony rises in the distance, furthermore in winter, a thin veil of snow drifts onto its peaked roof, and the bridge stands silent and ageless above the river’s frozen hush.Funny enough, Beyond its graceful form, the Paper Mill Village Bridge captures Vermont’s lasting devotion to skilled craft and the quiet strength of its history, each timber smooth beneath the touch of time, simultaneously bridges like this weren’t built just for crossing-they show the clever hands of rural builders who worked with local oak and river stone to make them last through years of rain and sun.Their timber walls guarded the bridge itself and everyone who crossed-wagons rattling, rain drumming on the roof-giving weary travelers a dry spot to pause halfway across, gaze at the river below, and let their thoughts drift with the current, simultaneously more than 130 years after it was first built, the Paper Mill Bridge still links both sides of the Walloomsac River-its wooden beams carrying footsteps, memories, and meaning across the water.It still stands as a living part of Bennington’s story-a bridge that carried the clatter of wagons through a bustling mill village, later rested in the hush of a country lane, and now welcomes travelers from every corner of the world, in turn its simple, sturdy beauty shows Vermont at its best-protecting historic barns from fading into memory while shaping ordinary walls and beams into quiet works of art.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-11-09
