Old Blenheim Bridge

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Old Blenheim Bridge
Old Blenheim Bridge
HAER photo in 2004
Carries Pedestrian
Total length 232 feet
Width 26 feet
Old Blenheim Bridge
(U.S. National Historic Landmark)
The staggering span of the Old Blenheim Bridge as photographed 11 March 2008.
The staggering span of the Old Blenheim Bridge as photographed 11 March 2008.
Location: North Blenheim, NY
Coordinates: 42°28′21.11″N 74°26′28.58″W / 42.4725306, -74.4412722Coordinates: 42°28′21.11″N 74°26′28.58″W / 42.4725306, -74.4412722
Area: Schoharie County
Built/Founded: 1834
Architect: Nicholas Montgomery Powers
Designated as NHL: January 29, 1964[1]
Added to NRHP: October 15, 1966[2]
NRHP Reference#: 66000570
Governing body: Local

Old Blenheim Bridge is a covered wooden bridge that spans Schoharie Creek in North Blenheim, NY. At 232 feet long, it is the longest single span wooden covered bridge in the world. The bridge is also one of the oldest of its type in the United States.

Contents

[edit] Longest Bridge

Several websites claim it is the longest such bridge, but also there are claims that the Bridgeport Covered Bridge in California is one that is longer, at 251 feet. The New York Covered Bridge Society New York Covered Bridge Society claims that Blenheim bridge is 2 feet longer than "a bridge in California" (presumably referring to the Bridgeport Covered Bridge), in terms of clear span. Blenheim has 219 feet of clear span, according to this website.

A report of Historic American Engineering Record suggests that the Bridgeport bridge has clear span of 210 feet on one side and 208 feet on the other, while Blenheim was measured to have 210 feet in the middle in HABS drawings from 1936. In August 2003, new measures taken of Blenheim abutments were 209 feet 2 inches on upstream side and 205 feet 6 inches on the downstream side.[3]

[edit] Historic Landmark

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964.[1],[4]

Blenheim Bridge Sign
Blenheim Bridge Sign

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Blenheim Covered Bridge. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service (2007-09-18).
  2. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
  3. ^ Lola Bennett (2002). Blenheim Bridge / HAER No. NY-331. Historic American Engineering Record.
  4. ^ James Dillon (1974), National Register of Historic Places Registration: Old Blenheim Bridge.PDF (270 KiB), National Park Service  and Accompanying Photos, from 1974PDF (367 KiB)

[edit] External links