Over a covered bridge, into the past
Many Townshippers have a love for covered bridges and they have a significant history here in the
area.
Covered bridges go back to late early 19th century when Europeans were making their way over to the ‘New World’.
Colonizers built covered bridges in the United States, Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes. By the 1800s, architects began to perfect the covered bridge. They realized that the truss was the
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most significant aspect. The more durable it was the longer the bridge would last.
Different architects emerged with their own truss designs. In the Eastern Townships, most covered bridges followed the design of Ithiel Town, known as the Town Truss, which he created in 1820. It is the most common covered bridge to be found in the area. His design involved the lattice being made up of crossed beams that were held together by wooden pegs.
Many may wonder, why cover the bridge? In essence, it was to protect the wooden materials and the roadway from deteriorating. The roof protected the bridge and the roadway from the rain and the sun, which would eventually take its toll on the structure.
The covered bridges played many different roles besides serving traffic.
They became known as “kissing bridges” because they became a popular place where many people shared their first kiss. It provided them with privacy.
In some towns that did not have a big enough Town Hall for all of its residents, covered bridges would be closed off and used for meetings regarding political or religious issues and for community suppers.
It also served as a place of advertisement with posters and promotions scattered across its walls.
Covered bridges once dotted the landscape of the Eastern Townships but now there are very few left.
Take the Milby covered bridge for example; it is one of only a few left of its kind.
Before the area became known as Milby, it was known as the Wilson Mills settlement. The first bridge to actually be built in the area was built around 1850 when Dr. William Wilson owned the sawmill.
In 1869, the bridge was washed away due to the annual spring flooding. That was when the covered bridge came to take its place in 1873.
Robert and John Hood received the contract to build the bridge, which ended up costing $1,350 in total.
The bridge is made completely out of wood and measures about 80 feet long and 16 feet wide. Like most covered bridges in the Townships, it followed the Town Truss style. It is one of the very few Town Truss styled bridges left in Quebec. To hold the bridge up, two cement blocks form the base of the covered bridge and are placed on each side of the river.
The bridge crosses Moe’s River, which flows from Moe’s River village to the Massawippi River in Lennoxville. It was built as part of the development of the hamlet of Milby and it also made things a bit easier. “It made it easier for people,” explained Bev Loomis, President of Ascott Heritage, “everyone walked.”
Unlike now, it is most likely that the bridge was used all year round. “I would assume it was open all year around,” explained Bev, “it was the horse and buggy days, they weren’t that heavy. They are used up until they are falling down, vandalized, or catch fire.”
On December 7, 1992, the Milby covered bridge was declared a historical monument by the provincial government while continuing to remain open to traffic circulation throughout the year. In 2003 however, that changed.
After seeing a snow plow with a heavy load of sand and salt going over the covered bridge, which at the time would have been around 130 years old, Bev and Milt knew they had to do something. “We sat here on a cold winter day and we were just waiting on that truck to fall through,” explained Bev, “when we saw that truck, we didn’t want to lose that bridge. We had to do something.”
They brought their concerns to the municipality but they weren’t being heard. “We went to the municipality and they wouldn’t listen to us. There was only one other choice and that was to go higher up.”
After bringing their concerns to the Ministry of Transport, the covered bridge was officially closed for the winter season in 2003.
“We’re on the walking path that includes the covered bridge, the church, and the schoolhouse. We were fighting for protection for that reason.”
“It is a very unique area with the school, the bridge, and the cemetery. Everything is together,” added Milt Loomis, Bev’s husband.
In 2007, the municipality took on the project to restore the bridge and made many renovations. They brought in new lumber and replaced the wooden pegs with steel bolts. They also changed the siding.
The bridge is now open to traffic throughout the summer and it gives access to the Milby campsite that was established nearby.
With the Milby covered bridge, the one-room schoolhouse and the church, the historical value of the area is undeniable and it is now a tourist attraction.
Most importantly, the bridge serves as a reminder to the architectural designs of the early 19th century and possesses rare characteristics of the past. “It’s a historic site,” Bev emphasized, “and that’s the bottom line.”
As a precious gem, the Milby covered bridged needs to be protected. Anyone who is hoping to drive over the Milby covered bridge, just remember to keep your speed at the maximum that is indicated. The more quickly cars go across the more vibration there is on the bridge, which could cause damage to the bridge in the future, and a better chance of an accident to occur. The bridge is also not suitable for any vehicle carrying heavy loads. If this is the case, take the detour and go around it. Considering the bridge is made from lumber, it is also suggested that you do not light a cigarette or a fire nearby.
Located on Route 147 on Covered Bridge Road, the Milby covered bridge is something to be seen if you have a love for these pieces of architectural history.
Is there a covered bridge in your area? If so, feel free to send in pictures and any information about it to:
newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com