Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge

The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge in Colrain, Massachusetts. The 100-foot long bridge carries Lyonsville Road across the North River. It is the only Burr truss bridge in the state, having been erected in 1869. The sweeping segmented timber arches that sandwich the braced posts strain the ten braced king posts. It’s one of the state’s few 19th-century covered bridges.

The area where the bridge first stood was prone to flooding. The bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1878, and it was then abandoned until 1896. The community elected in 1896 to restore it and relocate it to its current location, where it served as part of the major road to Heath. The area was dubbed “Arthur A. Smith Flats” after a famous local person who lived in the region  It was decommissioned in 1982 and relocated to nearby property. In 1983, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A reconstruction of the Arthur A Smith was erected back across the river in 2007 after a $2.1 million rebuilding. However, it was not open to automobile traffic. During Hurricane Irene’s record flooding in 2011, the bridge was only marginally damaged. This is owing to the fact that it was built on abutments that raise it above the adjacent floodplain.

Pedestrians and cyclists are welcome to cross the bridge, which is not open to automobile traffic. The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge has become a popular spot for photographers in recent years.

Looking for more great spots to explore nearby? Check out the GoXplr Massachusetts Map at goxplr.com/map/massachusetts!

Covered Bridge Specs

• Constructed: 1870 (rebuilt 2006)
• Design/Style: Burr truss bridge
• Total length: 100 feet
• Total width: 17 feet
• Carries: Lyonsville Road
• Crosses: North River
• Usage: Open to vehicles
• World Guide Number: 21-06-03
• NRHP: 83000592

Location

• Address: Lyonsville Road
• Town: Colrain
• State: Massachusetts
• GPS: Lat 42.66989 Lng -72.71885
• Parking notes: There is no official parking area for the bridge. Most visitors park on the side of the road on either side of the bridge. If you are looking for an official parking area, you can park at the Branch Cemetery and walk to the bridge.
• Parking directions: HERE
• Location directions: HERE