Located just outside of picturesque Salem, New York, the Rexleigh
Covered Bridge is one of four covered bridges that are still standing in
Washington County, and one of thee covered bridges that cross the
Batten Kill while in New York. There are more covered bridges that cross
the Batten Kill in neighboring Vermont. The Rexleigh Covered Bridge is
also the location for a popular swimming hole. The 107 foot long bridge
was originally built by Reuben Comins and George Wadsworth in 1874 and
is one of only three Howe truss bridges remaining in New York State. The
bridge was supposedly prefabricated in Troy, New York and transported
by rail to Rexleigh where it was reassembled in place. One unique
feature of the Rexleigh Covered Bridge are the cast iron shoes, which
were used to fit the bridge timbers into joints with iron rods. This
feature has been incorporated into no other known covered bridge in the
United States of America.
The
Rexleigh Covered Bridge has had its share of events over the years. A
number of flooding events almost washed the bridge downstream or caused
the bridge supports to settle. By 1979, a decision to demolish and
replace the bridge was made, but thanks to local support, the old
covered bridge was saved. In 1984 and again in 2007, the bridge was
rehabilitated. If you visit the bridge today, you will find a quiet
pastoral scene. Looking at the Batten Kill from the bridge, there are
remnants of what looks like an old mill upstream from the bridge as
well. So there are many reasons to enjoy this quiet, red covered bridge.
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| Old mill? |
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| Looking upstream at the Batten Kill. |
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| One of the portals to the covered bridge. |
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| Side profile of the Rexleigh Covered Bridge. |
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| The area around the bridge is also a popular swimming hole. |
Sources and Links:
New York State Covered Bridge Society -
Rexleigh Covered Bridge
Town of Salem, New York -
Around The Town
How to Get There:
Crossposted to
http://unlockingnewyork.blogspot.com/2018/02/rexleigh-covered-bridge.html
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