Eagleville Bridge

The Eagleville Bridge is a wooden covered structure crossing the Battenkill River in Washington County, built with a lattice design of diagonal planks held together by wooden pegs. It spans approximately 100 feet and continues to carry vehicle traffic between the communities of Jackson and Salem.

Built in 1858 by local craftsman Ephraim Clapp, the bridge represents mid-19th century engineering techniques. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, confirming its importance to American building history.

This bridge stands as one of four remaining structures of its kind in the county, showing how 19th-century communities crossed rivers with wood and skill. Walking through it, you see a piece of local building tradition that has lasted for generations.

You can approach from the west via State Route 313, and since the bridge remains open to traffic, pedestrians can walk across and view the interior. Daytime visits work best, when light filters through the wooden structure and makes the construction details visible.

In 1977, flooding damaged the east abutment, yet the lattice construction held firm and prevented complete collapse. This event revealed how flexible and resilient the old wooden design could be against the forces of nature.