The Wolcott Covered Bridge
Just a few miles north of Brooksville, Kentucky where state highway 1159 meets Locust Creek sits a hidden gem of Kentucky history. Although the state was once home to hundreds of covered bridges, the Walcott Covered Bridge is one of only 11 that remain. At 75 feet in length she is not our longest or our grandest, but her perfect location makes her perhaps the most picturesque.
Originally built in 1824, the bridge is a hybrid of the Queen Post and King Post designs. Heavy flooding along Locust Creek caused massive damage to the bridge in both 1997 and 1998, ultimately leading engineers to have the bridge relocated 400 feet further east to an area of the creek better suited to ensure its long term survival. That decision not only helped ensure that the bridge can be enjoyed by future generations, but it honestly gives us everything that makes this bridge so great.
First off, it’s been torn apart and rebuilt at its new location. This means that the bridge is one of the most solidly constructed to be found in the state. The rebuild is old enough that it could use a fresh coat of paint, but otherwise it looks perfect. Meanwhile the new location not only ensures that the bridge won’t be impacted by flooding, but it also positions the bridge to be the perfect tourist attraction.
The new location is situated in an area where the creek is never more than knee deep. Meanwhile the creek bed is stair-stepped to the point that both sides of the bridge offer a dry section of bedrock allowing you to walk completely under the bridge. This affords the visitor a great look at the construction of the bridge, and perfect photo opportunities.
I’ve been to all 11 remaining covered bridges in Kentucky. All of them are beautiful, some of them are genuinely impressive feats of engineering, and all are worth the trip. Wolcott though is possibly the only one that you could really make a day of. Bring your boyfriend/girlfriend, bring the kids, bring a picnic. Enjoy the bridge, but more importantly enjoy the scenery. Get away from it all, and just enjoy the day. Of course if a day of relaxation fails to hold your interest, you are only about half an hour from Newport/Cincinnati, and all that they have to offer.
Want to Experience This Adventure for Yourself?:
The Walcott Covered Bridge can be found at https://goo.gl/maps/YL2m8WC8WoxyMuMv6
