Covered bridges are a quintessential scene in Vermont and while they physically connect two distinct areas, they also separate the old from the new. After all, you can't exactly drive an 18-wheeler over one of these classic and historic structures. Vermont's covered bridges were designed to have roofs for many reasons. The first, and perhaps the most important, was to protect the structure from the elements, as it was much easier to replace roofs than roads. Also, the wall coverings were welcomed by farmers because the sides helped cattle over the bridge, as the sight of the rushing water made them hesitate. Sides and roofs also made the structures stronger and more durable. The design and construction of these covered bridges embody the sentiment: They don't make them like that anymore! Vermont's covered bridges play an important role in Vermont's history, and here are some of the best covered bridges in Vermont:

1. Gold Brook Covered Bridge, Stowe

This covered bridge in Vermont is better known as Emily's Bridge and is said to be haunted. The legend says that a girl named Emily was meeting her boyfriend there to run away and elope, and when he never showed up she hung herself from the rafters.

2. Brown Covered Bridge, Clarendon

3. Silk Covered Bridge, Bennington

This red beauty spans the Wallomsac River and is 88 feet long, 14.25 feet wide and 10 feet high at the truss. It is one of three in close proximity which cross the river.

4. Hammond Covered Bridge, Pittsford

The Hammond Covered bridge, which crosses Otter Creek, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was built in 1842.

5. Pulp Mill Covered Bridge, Middlebury

This two lane bridge crosses Otter Creek bridging the towns of Middlebury and Weybridge.

6. Worrall Covered Bridge, Rockingham

Spanning over the Williams River, Woralls Bridge was built around 1868, and is one of two surviving 19th-century covered bridges in the town of Rockingham.

7. Gorham Covered Bridge, Pittsford

Connecting Pittsford and Proctor over Otter Creek, this lattice truss bridge was built in 1841 by Abraham Owen and famous bridgewright, Nicholas Powers.

8. West Dummerston Covered Bridge, Dummerston

Built in 1872, this 280 foot bridge is the longest covered bridge entirely within the state of Vermont. Bedell Covered bridge is longer, but connects in New Hampshire. With views like that, it's certainly one of the most scenic covered bridges in Vermont.

9. Kidder Covered Bridge, Grafton

Going over Saxtons River, this is Grafton's last surviving 19th-century covered bridge and is located just outside of the village center.

10. Bowers Covered Bridge, Brownsville

Between vehicles and hurricanes, this stalwart bridge in Vermont has taken a lot of damage over the decades, and has been considered for closure for years. The 44-foot bridge was originally built in 1919 and has been repaired many times since then, most recently in 2011 after being badly damaged from Hurricane Irene.

11. Halpin Covered Bridge, Middlebury

The Halpin Covered Bridge is also called the High Covered Bridge and for good reason - it's the highest covered bridge above a waterway in the state. Originally used for a marble quarry (this could explain the high clearance) it connects Middlebury to New Haven.

12. Arlington Green Covered Bridge, Arlington

13. Creamery Covered Bridge, Brattleboro

14. Chiselville Covered Bridge, Arlington

A great view of the inside of this 1870 Town lattice bridge in Arlington. It is worth a hike down the steep embankment to check out the bridge from below.

15. Moseley Covered Bridge, Northfield

This bridge is named for the man who built it in 1899, John Moseley. It's also known as the Stony Brook bridge, for the waterway it crosses.

16. Mill Bridge, Tunbridge

The original Mill Bridge was built in 1883 and destroyed in 1999 by heavy Spring flooding and ice. A replica was created in 2000, and serves as a wonderful reminder of how covered bridges played an important role in Vermont's history.

With over 100 Vermont covered bridges to choose from, we would love to year from YOU! What are some other covered bridges in Vermont that you would like to see featured? Let us know!