Tucked away in a quiet corner of New York State is a wooden bridge that has stood for nearly two centuries.
Horse-drawn carriages once rolled through its wooden tunnel long before automobiles existed.
Today, you can still walk through the historic structure and hear the water flowing beneath the floorboards.
At first glance, it might look like a simple old structure crossing a small creek, but a closer look reveals something incredibly rare.
So how did this small wooden bridge manage to last longer than almost every other covered bridge in America?
Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating story behind it.
Where Is It?
Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is found within Glimmerglass State Park in Otsego County, New York.
It’s about an 80-minute drive from Albany, 1 hour and 40 minutes from Syracuse, 3.5 hours from New York City, and 3 hours and 45 minutes from Buffalo.
About
Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is known as the oldest documented covered bridge in the United States.
It stretches 53 feet across Shadow Brook, a small stream that flows into Otsego Lake, which spans about 4,046 acres and reaches depths of around 167 feet.
What makes it extra special is its rare Burr arch truss, and the structure is enclosed with wooden siding and a pitched roof that protects the timber frame inside.
When you walk through, the first thing you notice is the tunnel-like interior framed by thick wooden beams, with curved arches running along the sides.
Sunlight pours in from the open ends of the bridge and brightens the wooden floor.
And because vehicles are not allowed, the bridge stays in great shape.
All around it is a quiet wooded area of the park surrounded by tall trees, which makes it feel like you stumbled across a hidden piece of early American engineering.
That’s part of what makes it one of those spots where you stop for a minute, take photos, and imagine what travel looked like here nearly two centuries ago.
While you’re here, it’s easy to pair the visit with other nearby park highlights like the Hyde Hall mansion, a massive neoclassical country house with 50 rooms.
You can also explore lakeside trails that wind along the edge of Otsego Lake.
History
Hyde Hall Covered Bridge was built in 1825 by master carpenter Cyrenus Clark, along with local carpenter Andrew Alden and stonemason Lorenzo Bates
It was originally built to cross Shadow Brook and give travelers access to Hyde Hall.
The structure uses a Burr arch truss, a design patented by engineer Theodore Burr that combines an arch with a truss system to support the span.
That design allowed the bridge to stretch across the stream in a single span without placing support posts in the water.
Like many covered bridges, the wooden siding and roof shield the timber frame from rain and snow, which helped it last much longer than open bridges of the same era.
For many years, horse-drawn carriages and wagons crossed it as visitors entered the estate, but by the mid-1900s, automobiles had largely taken their place.
Eventually, the bridge was closed to vehicles in 1965 to protect the aging structure.
Preservation efforts soon followed, including restoration work by New York State after the park property was acquired in the 1960s.
Know Before You Go
Park Hours and Entrance Fees
Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is located inside Glimmerglass State Park, which is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
From May through September, the park charges about $7 per vehicle, while entry is usually free during the off-season.
Getting to the Bridge
A short path leads from the nearby parking area to the bridge, and the walk takes only a few minutes.
Wear comfortable shoes because the ground around it can be a little uneven, especially after rain.
The bridge is open to pedestrians only, so you can safely walk through it and take photos without worrying about traffic.
Bring a camera because the interior wooden beams and the small creek below make this one of the most photogenic spots in the park.
Other Things to Do Nearby
After visiting the bridge, there are more things to see nearby that can easily fill the rest of your day.
If you want to stretch your legs, the Sleeping Lion Trail is a great 2.4-mile hike in Glimmerglass State Park that leads to a scenic overlook above Otsego Lake.
You can also relax at the park’s swimming beach, launch a kayak from the car-top boat launch, or enjoy a picnic in one of the park’s picnic areas.
If you’re up for a 15-minute drive, head over to Cooperstown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field.
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