New York Covered Bridges
A Guide for Photographers and Explorers
Copyright 2011 Harold Stiver
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Version 1.0
ISBN #978-0-9868670-0-2
Table of Contents
Delaware County
Tuscarora Club Covered Bridge (Damaged)
Lower Shavertown Covered Bridge
Essex County
Herkimer County
Salisbury Center Covered Bridge
Otsego County
Saratoga County
Schoharie County
Blenheim Covered Bridge (Gone)
Sullivan County
Livingston Manor Covered Bridge
Tompkins County
Ulster County
Washington County
Quasi-Traditional Bridges
Tours
A short history of Covered Bridges
The Photographer's and Explorer's Series
How to use this Book
For each of the 22 historical or Traditional Covered Bridges remaining in New York State, we have included photographs as well as descriptive and statistical data. Traditional Covered Bridges are those that follow the building practices of the Nineteenth Century and the early part of the Twentieth Century or those built later that follow those methods. All of these bridges have had repairs done as portions wear out, and some may have been almost entirely replaced through the years. I have used "The National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, Inc." list of what they consider as Traditional Bridges. I have also included information on the Blenheim Covered Bridge which was washed away from flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in August of 2011. It was one of the foremost covered bridges in North America. Information is also included for the Tuscorara Covered Bridge which was heavily damaged and may not be re-built.
I have also included information on 3 bridges which the National Society calls Quasi-Traditional Bridges. This is described as bridges which have been strongly influenced by nineteenth and early twentieth century precedent, but which may not adhere in every respect.
In addition to these, there are covered bridges of modern design. I have not included any of them because they tend to appear and disappear and many covered bridge enthusiasts find them of lesser interest.
Following is data included for each bridge
Name: This is listed in bold type, and where there are other names, it is the common name or the name listed on an accompanying plaque.
Other Names: Underneath the Common Name in brackets, you will find other names that the bridge has been known by.
Nearest Town and County are listed.
It is frustrating to go on an excursion to see something and not be able to find it. This book offers you multiple ways to ensure that doesn't happen.
GPS Position: This is our recommended method. Enter the coordinates in a good GPS unit and it should take you right there. You, of course, must use care that you are not led off road or on a dangerous route.
Google Map Inputs: Copy these coordinates into Google Maps on your computer, hit the "Get Directions" Link and add your starting point, and you can get detailed directions from your current position.
Detailed Driving Directions: Directions from a town near to the bridge.
Builder: If known, the name of the original builder(s) is listed.
Year Built: As well as the year built, if it has been moved it will shown with the year preceded by the letter M and, if a major repair has been done, the year will be shown preceded by the letter R.
Truss Type: The type for the particular bridge will be listed. If you are interested in more information on the various types of trusses, access "Truss Types" from the Table of Contents.
Dimensions: The length and number of spans (All New York Covered bridges except Shushan are a single span)
Photo Tips: The compass orientation is given which gives the user some indication of the sun position. if there are superior setup positions or other compositional elements, they may be noted. You may also find some useful ideas from reading "Photographing Covered Bridges" from the Table of Contents.
Notes: A place where you can find additional items of interest about the bridge.
Photographing Covered Bridges
Some standard positions
Portal: Taken to show the ends of bridge or bridge opening. This view, usually symmetrical, will include various signs posted. This is also a good way to get run over, so be careful!
3/4 view: Shows both the front and sides of the bridge, and is often the most attractive.
Side view: Taken from a bank or from the river, this gives not only a nice view of the bridge but usually allows for some interesting foreground elements.
Interior view: An image taken from the interior of the bridge will show some interesting structure but there is not a lot of available light. A tripod is important and HDR processing is helpful.
Landscape View: With the bridge smaller in the frame, you can introduce the habitat around it, particularly effective with colorful autumn foliage.
Using HDR(High Dynamic Range)
HDR is a process where multiple images of varying exposure are combined to make one image.
It has a bad name with some people because many HDR images are super-saturated, a kind of digital age version of an Elvis painted on velvet. However, the process is actually about getting a full range of exposure with no burnt out highlights or blocked shadows. This is an ideal processing solution for photographing Covered Bridges where you often have open light sky set against dark shadowed landscape and structure.
I use a series of three exposures at levels of -1 2/3, 0, +1 2/3, and this normally runs the full exposure range encountered. It is important to use a stable tripod.
One situation where you may need a larger series is shooting from within a bridge and using the window to frame an outside scene. The dynamic range is huge and you will need to have a series with a much larger range.
There are a number of software programs you can use to combine these images including newer editions of Photoshop. I use Photomatix which I have found very versatile and easy to use.
Best times for photographing bridges
Mornings and evenings are generally the best times for outdoor photography but the use of HDR processing makes it easier even in bright direct light. Although any season is good for bridge photography including the winter, fall foliage included in a scene can be spectacular.
Bridges by County
Delaware County
Downsville Covered Bridge
Nearest Town: Downsville
County: Delaware
GPS Position: N42° 04.602 W74° 59.077
Google Maps Coordinates: 42.07567,-74.99111
Directions: Located at the east end of the Town of Downsville, on Bridge St. off of State Rte. 30.
Crosses: Delaware River
Carries: Bridge St.
Builder: Robert Murray
Year Built: 1854 (R1998)
Truss Type: Long and Queenpost Truss
Dimensions: Single Span, 174 feet
Photo Tips: Northeast-southwest orientation. There is a small park beside the bridge which offers an excellent place to shoot side views. Front views are easy but watch out for light traffic.
Notes: Originally built in 1854, it was completely refurbished in 1998. It is the only New York Covered bridge with the Long Truss and Queenpost combination. It also has flying buttresses to prevent twisting due to water, wind and ice load. Like most covered bridges originally, it has no windows.
World Index Number: NY-13-01
National Register of Historic Places: April 29/1999
Fitches Covered Bridge
Nearest Town: Delhi
County: Delaware
GPS Position: N42° 17.205' W74° 52.768'
Google Maps Coordinates: 42.29808,-74.87966
Directions: From the Town of Delhi, go north on State Rte. 10 for 3.5 miles. When you reach Fitches Bridge Road turn left for a short trip to the bridge.
Crosses: Delaware River
Carries: Fitches Bridge Road
Builder: James Frazier and James Warren
Year Built: 1870 (M1885) (R2001)
Truss Type: Town
Dimensions: Single Span, 113 feet
Photo Tips: A lovely bridge in a quiet rural setting, there are easy setups from both the sides and the portals. Southeast-northwest orientation.
Notes: Substantial repairs were completed in 2001 and the structure looks in excellent condition now. The bridge was originally located in the Town of Delhi but was moved to this location in 1885. This is a beautiful quiet spot to visit in all seasons.
World Index Number: NY-13-02
National Register of Historic Places: April 29/1999
Hamden Covered Bridge
Nearest Town: Hamden
County: Delaware
GPS Position: N42° 11.672 W74° 59.326
Google Maps Coordinates: 42.19531,-74.98839
Directions: From the Village of Hamden, go east on State Rte. 10 and the bridge can be seen on Basin Clove Rd. near the Village east end.
Crosses: Delaware River
Carries: Basin Clove Rd.
Builder: Robert Murray
Year Built: 1859 (R1940s) (R2001)
Truss Type: Long
Dimensions: Two spans, 125 feet
Photo Tips: East-west orientation. The inside structure provides good images, it has a rich chestnut tone. There are good portal locations as well as from the south side.
Notes: Originally a single span, the center pier was added in the 1940's. When it was refurbished in 2000-1, a crane accident knocked part of it into the river but it was fully restored. The original buttresses were removed at that time.
World Index Number: NY-13-03
National Register of Historic Places: April 29/1999
Tuscarora Club Covered Bridge (Damaged)
(AKA Demis Covered Bridge)
This bridge was badly damaged in August/2011 by Hurricane Irene
