Hamden Bridge
Encyclopedia
Hamden Bridge is a wooden covered bridge
over the West Branch of the Delaware River in the hamlet of Hamden
in Delaware County, New York
. Built by Robert Murray in 1859, the 128 feet (39 m)-long Hamden Covered Bridge is one of the last three covered crossings maintained by Delaware County that still carry traffic across branches of the Delaware River. A contract to construct the bridge was signed between Mr. Murray and the Town of Hamden on April 27, 1859, for the sum of $1,000. The 1830 Long truss design used by Murray was patented by Colonel Stephen H. Long of Hopkinton, N.H. When originally constructed, the bridge was a single span, but in the 1940s, a center pier was installed for additional support.
During the early '60s the timbers and overhead bracing displayed signs for Kendall's Spavin Cure, Herrick's Pills and Ayer's Cherry Pectrol. The county repaired a lean in the bridge in 1966 by adding two large buttresses on each side, painted the bridge red and cut two new windows into each side allowing more light into the dark interior. In 1967, the portals had a diagonal appearance, but some time during the late '70s or early '80s the portals were squared off. Restoration of the Hamden Covered Bridge began in the summer of 2000, with contractor W. L. Kline, Inc. in charge. On July 19, while the bridge was being lifted off its abutments in preparation for the restoration project, the top chord broke and approximately one-third of the bridge had to be lowered into the river. Fortunately, the damage was not significant. Restoration went on to include replacement of the tin roof with a standing seam metal roof. Decayed bottom chords were replaced with a single 130 feet (39.6 m) glue-laminated chord manufactured by Unadilla Laminated Products in Unadilla, NY. To keep as much of the original Long truss as possible, some truss post members were relocated to accommodate stress levels in different areas of the bridge. Work continued through the fall, and on November 13, the bridge was moved back over the west branch of the Delaware River.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1999.
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
over the West Branch of the Delaware River in the hamlet of Hamden
Hamden, New York
Hamden is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 1,280 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hamden is in the south part of the county.- History :...
in Delaware County, New York
Delaware County, New York
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
. Built by Robert Murray in 1859, the 128 feet (39 m)-long Hamden Covered Bridge is one of the last three covered crossings maintained by Delaware County that still carry traffic across branches of the Delaware River. A contract to construct the bridge was signed between Mr. Murray and the Town of Hamden on April 27, 1859, for the sum of $1,000. The 1830 Long truss design used by Murray was patented by Colonel Stephen H. Long of Hopkinton, N.H. When originally constructed, the bridge was a single span, but in the 1940s, a center pier was installed for additional support.
During the early '60s the timbers and overhead bracing displayed signs for Kendall's Spavin Cure, Herrick's Pills and Ayer's Cherry Pectrol. The county repaired a lean in the bridge in 1966 by adding two large buttresses on each side, painted the bridge red and cut two new windows into each side allowing more light into the dark interior. In 1967, the portals had a diagonal appearance, but some time during the late '70s or early '80s the portals were squared off. Restoration of the Hamden Covered Bridge began in the summer of 2000, with contractor W. L. Kline, Inc. in charge. On July 19, while the bridge was being lifted off its abutments in preparation for the restoration project, the top chord broke and approximately one-third of the bridge had to be lowered into the river. Fortunately, the damage was not significant. Restoration went on to include replacement of the tin roof with a standing seam metal roof. Decayed bottom chords were replaced with a single 130 feet (39.6 m) glue-laminated chord manufactured by Unadilla Laminated Products in Unadilla, NY. To keep as much of the original Long truss as possible, some truss post members were relocated to accommodate stress levels in different areas of the bridge. Work continued through the fall, and on November 13, the bridge was moved back over the west branch of the Delaware River.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1999.
See also
- List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in New York
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Delaware County, New York