The Oldest Covered Bridge In Vermont Has Been Around Since 1833

When driving through Vermont, you'll probably come across quite a few covered bridges. Many of these bridges were built in the 1800s and early 1900s and communities have come together to restore them so they can continue to be enjoyed by visitors for years to come. The oldest covered bridge in Vermont is located in the small town of Waitsfield and it is definitely worth the trip if you're ever in the area.

The Waitsfield Covered Bridge was built in 1833 and restored in 1975, making it the oldest operating covered bridge in Vermont.

The bridge was built to replace a bridge that was lost during a freshet in 1830.

It's known by locals as "Big Eddy" or "Great Eddy."

You might think that the bridge is named after someone named Eddy, but actually it gets its nickname from the eddy that was formed by the bedrock under the north abutment.

It carries Bridge Street across the Mad Rive and the bridge has the longest clear span of any Burr truss bridge in Vermont.

Mad River is a scenic river with a number of trails that run along it for visitors to walk through.

In the summer, people can enjoy a refreshing swim in Mad River right below the bridge.

In 1974, Waitsfield Covered Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

During the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011, some of the sidewalls of the bridge were battered by a swollen Mad River, but for the most part, the bridge stood intact.

For a scenic covered bridge that's stood the test of time, visit "Big Eddy" in Waitsfield, Vermont.

Have you seen this bridge before? If not, what are some of the scenic bridges you've seen so far while driving in Vermont? Feel free to share in the comments!

For more bridges, read about these 10 most beautiful covered bridges in Vermont to explore.