Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge

The Fisher Covered Railroad Bridge is a wooden railway bridge with a double lattice frame and board siding that crosses the Lamoille River. It has a long, narrow enclosed form with a distinctive ventilation shaft running along its center to allow steam locomotives to pass through safely.

The bridge was built in 1908 by the Boston & Maine Railroad to serve the St. Johnsbury and Lamoille County rail line. It operated until 1994 when the rail line was abandoned, though it had already been listed for historic protection in 1974.

The bridge carries the name of its original developer and reflects how early railroad engineers in this region built with timber and careful design. The central ventilation opening visible along the roof shows how builders solved the practical problem of steam locomotives operating through enclosed spaces.

The best way to see it is to approach on foot from the roadside or nearby pathways, as the bridge itself is not open for crossing. The entire structure is visible from the ground, so any time of day works well for viewing.

This was the last covered railroad bridge in Vermont that still saw active train traffic, making it uniquely preserved until modern times. Steel reinforcement added in 1968 saved the original wooden frame from demolition and allowed it to continue serving its purpose much longer than anyone expected.