Newfield Covered Bridge 32-55-01

Another thing Ive noticed is an awareness of New what may be termed UCEB's. Sure they took out a through truss to build it but at least they are making access friendly and aware of people visiting. The Seneca Nation of Indians near me incorporates Treaty Belt designs into bridge structure. These are important to the community and treaties signed by such folks as George Washington and others . Center Street in Salamanca WAS a through Truss but at least built a UCEB with the public and future in mind. Cuba lake Outlet WAS a UCEB and is again but with Pine tree cut outs in rails to reflect treaty. Maybe a category UCEB but trying!

I am hoping that we can start to turn the tide. I suspect that this website and others like it are starting to have an effect. I am cautiously optimistic.

Have encountered what I call Casual pontists' including today. Met NO ONE at King Bowstring but it is a pedestrian bridge now . At Lattice a young lady arrived from west end where as I approached from the East. Moved so she could get shots. I told her she was only half a mile away from the Bowstring and mentioned she could see underside construction from other side. She had no interest in either. Said she worked in "The City" New York and that her friends all asked her what it is like upstate. She had seen a road sign before and finally came through with her Camera, just getting shots to show them. BUT if ever a fundraiser or such effort to save one we need these Casual Pontists. Sure she missed out today but maybe next time through she'll check out the other one and a bridge hunter is born....

With you all the way!

Covered Bridges are always an interesting topic on here. When I go east, I try to visit some of them. Having grown up in a state with no remaining covered bridges (Kansas), these bridges make a change for me.

At the same time, one cannot deny that there has been a bit of a prejudice against iron bridges in favor of covered bridges. Many people will go out of their way to visit a covered bridge. I have done this myself. Yet few people will go out of their way to visit a metal truss bridge or a concrete arch bridge. There have been times when I have told somebody that I have discovered an interesting bridge. Often times their response is something like is it a covered bridge? No. Okay then who cares? I have had people laugh at me because I taken an interest in metal truss bridges. Seriously, I have had people think that I am nuts because I went to see a Marsh arch. This sort of thing repeated itself many times as I visited the historic bridges of Kansas and other states.

At the same time, a metal truss bridge is likely to contain much more original material then a covered bridge. Thus, there is much historical value in metal truss bridges, especially in pre 1900, wrought iron pin-connected metal truss bridges and pre-WWII cantilever truss bridges.

I will always advocate for the preservation of historic covered bridges. At the same time, it behooves us to advocate for the preservation of other types of historic bridges as well.

Any Pontist enmity toward Covered Bridges is misdirected in the Case of Newfield New York. Not only is their 1853 Lattice Covered open to traffic its a schooling in how to do it correctly including sprinklers. Where else can you see a Lattice Town 1853 AND an 1873 King Iron Bridge Bowstring( BH 49441) save within a half mile? Kudos to this community and worth a Flight into Ithaca to visit these two

The bridge is inspected yearly. To get close to the critical components, wire suspended scaffolding is required.

This single span, Town (Laminated Arch was added in 1972) bridge is known as the Newfield Covered Bridge and was built in 1853 by Samuel Hamm and sons; David Dassance and Patchen Parsons (carpenters); Benjamin Starr and Richard Russell (masons) and measures 115 feet. It was listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places on February 25, 2000. The World Guide to Covered Bridges has assigned the following number to this bridge: NY 32-55-01. This bridge was rehabilitated in 1998. The Newfield Covered Bridge is the oldest covered bridge in daily use in New York State. Photos submitted by Bob and Trish Kane, Sherburne, NY.