Nomination for Smith, Arthur A., Covered Bridge

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections 1. Name For NPS use only received DEC 27 1982 date entered historic / Arthur A., Smith, Covered Bridge and/or common Same 2. Location w of Colrain on, street & number> Lyonsville Road, city, town colrain mci N/A not for publication N/A vicinity of state Massachusetts code 025 3. Classification Category district Ownership public building(s) private X structure both site Public Acquisition object N/A in process being considered county Franklin code 011 Status occupied N/A unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted 'yes: unrestricted "!

Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military- museum park private residence religious scientific transportation X other: Closed 4. Owner of Property OTUT BUI name Town of Colrain, Board of Selectmen street & number Town Office city, town Colrain N/Avicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts 01340 courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Colrain Town Records street & number Town Office, Water Street city, town Colrain state 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets title of the Commonwealth, #902 has this property been determined eligible? Massachusetts - yes X no date 1981 federal X state _ county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7. Description Arthur A.

Smith Covered Bridge, Colrain, Massachusetts Condition excellent good X fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one _unaltered X altered Check one original site X moved date 1896 Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

wica eore nd ho of ne bat of kouce il. The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge spans the North River at Lyonsville, about It is approached on a short stretch of secondary road leading west off Route 112. The setting is rural and picturesque with rocks and ledges bordering the river and a steep, wooded hill crowned by the First Baptist Church rising from the west bank. Fields of corn and grass line the east bank adjacent to the bridge. The bridge measures 100 feet in length, with an outside width of 17 feet, and an inside width of 12 feet. Its wooden structural design features the original multiple king post truss construction with added laminated Burr arches. The gable pitched roof is covered with slate shingles; exterior sheathing is vertical boards.

Originally, the bridge was constructed in 1869-70 farther down the river in Shattuckville, a Colrain village south of Lyonsville and Colrain Center. It was known as the Fox Bridge, in reference to the nearby Fox Tavern (now gone). Damaged by flood waters in 1878, the bridge was abandoned until 1896, when the Colrain selectmen had it re-erected on the "Arthur A. Smith Flats." It may have replaced an earlier plank bridge at this location. In 1920, laminated Burr arches were added to strengthen the bridge so that the Carey Cider and Vinegar Company could transport heavier loads across it. At present, it is uncertain whether Burr arches were present prior to this date. The bridge is presently in need of repair and has been closed to traffic for the past year. Restoration efforts have been initiated by the town, but have not been completed due to lack of funds.

In 1980, the original two-inch oak floor boards were replaced with four-inch hemlock boards. Future plans include replacing damaged boards on the south side of the bridge.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge, Colrain, Massachusetts Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 X 1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below . archeology-prehistoric _ community planning archeology-historic _ conservation agriculture _economics architecture education art X engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry _ invention . landscape architecture_ _ religion law literature military music philosophy politics/government science _ sculpture social/ humanitarian theater X transportation - other (specify) Built Specific dates moved 1868-70; 1896 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect Unknown The Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge retains integrity of design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. One of four extant covered bridges in the Commonwealth, it is unique in employing Burr truss construction. Although moved from its original location in 1896, the bridge has kept its essential physical charac- teristics and sits in a similar setting. It remains historically significant for its association with the development of the town of Colrain and, when moved, was ne ogm of Cotrain and, when aoyed, wat renamed for a locally prominent citizen. The bridge thus meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. The town of Colrain was initially settled in 1732 by members of the Smith family, possibly ancestors of Arthur A. Smith, and incorporated in 1761.

The predominantly hilly terrain in the town proved suitable for grazing and dairy farming; the North River, which flows almost directly south through Colrain from the Vermont border to Shelburne, Massachusetts, provided abundant waterpower for sawmills, gristmills, fulling mills and - in the 19th century - large textile mills. One such cotton manufacturing firm was established in 1832 at Shattuckville, the site of the first cotton yarn mill in Franklin County (1814). Following a major flood in 1869, which destroyed or damaged this and many other industries and bridges on the river, restorative work included reconstruction of the Shattuck Mills at double the previous capacity and erection of a new "Fox Bridge." In 1878, the waters of the North River again rose seriously high, leaving the bridge unsafe for travel and it sat, deteriorating, until moved to its present site in 1896.

In the village of Lyonsville, as in Shattuckville, it provided access across the North River; here it was used extensively for transporting kegs of vinegar from the cider mill to the railroad, provided a crossing to the First Baptist Church and homes in the vicinity, and formed part of the road to the town of Heath. The bridge's use as a transport route was partially responsible for the introduction of additional support members, resulting in this once common wood engineering design. The composite of king post truss and strengthening arch, first introduced in America in 1803-04 by Theodore Burr of Pennsylvania, was used throughout the 19th century. This bridge is the only surviving example in Massachusetts. Of the three other 19th century covered bridges remaining in the Commonwealth, only one, the Upper Sheffield Bridge (1835;NR), predates the Colrain Bridge.

The others are: the Burkville Bridge, Conway (1873); and the Ware-Hardwick Bridge (1886). Arthur Alan Smith, for whom the bridge was renamed in 1896, was of Colrain heritage and born there on December 19, 1841, in the family farmstead adjacent to the North River. After serving in the Civil War, where he attained the rank of captain, he moved to Alabama and became active in community affairs. Returning to Colrain and the family house in the 1870s, he was elected to several offices, including: school board member; tax assessor; and Commander of the G.A.R. in Massachusetts. He died in Colrain on March 21, 1907. 9. Major Bib iographica References Comp, I. Allan and Daonal Jackson, "Bridge Truss Types: A Guide to Dating and Identifying." American Assoc. for State and Local History Technical Leaflet 95, History News, Vol. 32 No. 5, May 1977.

Patrie, Lois McClellan, A History of Colrain, Massachusetts. Colrain (?), 1974. (Continued) 10.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Less than one acre Quadrangle name - Colrain, Massachusetts-Vermont UT M References Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 118 1686/91010 Zone Easting L417/216 41810 Northing Easting Northing GLy 1Lu Verbal boundary description and justification The nominated property consists of the Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge, which spans the North River on Lyonsville Road. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By Virginia A. Fitch, Preservation Planner, with Alfred E. Hillman, Colrain Selectman name/title and Louise B. O'Brien, Colrain Historical Society organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date September 20, 1982 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89- 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to thee criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

State Historic Preservation Oficer signature Valeuie Ann /almage title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission December 15,1982 For NPS use only hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register eloua Entered In the National Keeper of the National Register Register date 2/3/83 Attest: Chief of Registration date NPS Form10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Arthur A. Smith Covered Continuation sheet Bridge, Colrain, Mass. Item number 9 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered Page 1 Sylvester, N. B., et al., History of the Connecticut Valley, in Massachusetts, Vol. II. Louis H. Everts, Philadelphia, 1979, pp. 746-753.

Town Records, Town of Colrain, Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States D of siee ledorier ational Park Service EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Smith, Arthur A., Covered Bridge Franklin County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Working No. 12/27/83-3294 Fed. Reg. Date:. 2.7. Date Due: 1/22163 Action: ACCEPT 210/83 2/3/83 Entered in the National Registez _ RETURN REJECT_ Federal Agency:. - sample -request - appeal - NR decision Reviower's comments: -Nomination returned for: Recom. / Criteria - Reviewer_ Discipline Date se continuation sheet -technical corrections cited below substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification ategery weerehe Prosant Uon 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys tas thle property beon dosorained eligsbta? - - 7. Description leterto ruine Choch unettered stered arbe the proes d ertgiaed (1l tasom) poyeles summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Chock ane - movec 8. Significance Pertod Arass of Significance Chock and fusttty bolow Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Duilder Architeet summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of excepticn other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreege of nominated property Quadrengleneme UMT References Verbel boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: . national - local State Historic Preservation Ofticer signature date titie 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - Signed - Date _ Phone: 202 272 -3504 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet ARTHURASMITS BRIDGE DAD OTAL Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge Lyonsville Road Colrain, Mass. by Debbie Volvo, August 19, 1982. negatives at Sheiburne Falls and West County News office, Shelburne Falls, Mass. End view Photo 1 of 2 Arthur A. Smith Covered Bridge Lyonsville Road Colrain, Mass. by Debbie Volvo, August 19, 1982. negatives at Shelburne Falls and West County News office, Shelburne Falls, Mass. Interior view Photo 2 of 2 ATHOL PUBLIC LIBRARY 568 MAIN STREET ATHOL, MASS. 01331 Mass.

Historical Commission Bart n, shuig tona S8 Nov. 8, 1982 RECEIVED 1:Uv -: 1032 MASS. HIST COMM. Dean Members & the Histnical Commrssion, Places. This old covered bridge is worthy of presenvation because of its beauty, its appropriateness to its lovely. rural surroandings, and alto because it is a usefl and needed means fer crossing the Morth River. I am a Colvain native preseutly linig in Orange and worlerug in Athol. All of Massachusetls and of this nation deseive have such lovely sites as the Arthur a decision as fecisth bridgi saved, it uill oe as crnt. Thank you - mang Cross Dinector, Athal Libra -Ils. Bulau S. Compton 111 aMlain Street Shelfurne Falls, Massachusetts 01370 MASS COMM. Nov. 11, 1982 (ARTHUR A. SMITH BRIDGE COLRAIN, MASS.) Mass. Historical Commission 294 Washington St. Boston, Mass. Gentlemen: The "s" in my name stands for amith and Arthur d.

was ny Crandfather. Naturally, my interest in preserving the old Arthur Smith bridge is quite interest persrest aoatory"uor." however, than my My Mother brought me up on tales of that bridge, of how she learned her "tables" in the barn as my father hand milked his herd, how she later helped arive his cattle across the bridge to pasturage on It was across this bridge that she and her brothers traveled to their little one room school at the top of the hill. It was across this briåge that courting couples drove, sometimes with a short stop in the miådle for a stolen kiss, I am told. Mostly, however, it is its history and antiquity which makes it worthy of preservation, methinks. Moved from a site farther downstream many years ago, it has been battered by storms and other ravages of time and deserves a place in our history.

Please aåd my plea for the preservation of this bridge and a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Thank you. very truly yours, Barbara S. Compton I am also told, although this I cannot authenticate, that the archway construction of the interior of the bridge is quite rare. Colrain, Mass. Nov. 13, 1982 COMIN Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington St. Boston, Mass. 02108 Gentlemen: Please permit us to give our comments on the restoration of the Arthur Smith covered bridge in the Town of Colrain scheduled for a review on Dec. 8th. We strongly recommend that this landmark be nom- inated to the National Register of Historic Places for several reasons: 1. Its lengthy and historical background 2. The only covered bridge left in this area when formerly there were many 3. The ingenious method used by our for- bears in its construction 4.

Its convenience for vehicular traffic To detour around this edifice involves a narrow, crooked road populated by many small children-- hard to see when snowbanks are high. Even though this bridge could not he restored for limited traffic, we would recommend that it at least be restored as a historical site. Thank you for your consideration on Dec. 8th. Very truly yours, Cine ECikin rittei E LiifeCn velma B. Aiken Robert E. Aiken & many other residents of West Colrain GR000C0 65500 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State November 15, 1982 Ms. Mary Cross Director Athol Public Library 568 Main Street Athol, MA 01331 Dear Ms. Cross: The Massachusetts Historical Conmission would like to thank you for your support of the Arthur A.

Smith bridge National Register nomination: A copy of your letter will be forwarded along with the nomination to the State Review Board and, if voted eligible, to the Keeper of the National Register. Sincerely, Viiginin Fitch Virginia Fitch Preservation Planner Massachusetts Historical Conmission VF/pg COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS SENATE STATE HOUSE. BOSTON 02133 722-1532 HON. JOHN W. OLVER FRANKLIN AND HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT (RES.) P. O. Box 855 AMHERST. MA 01002 256-6643 COMMITTEES: TAXATION (CHAIRMAN) WAYS AND MEANS STATE ADMINISTRATION ENERGY COUNTIES TRANSPORTATION November 17, 1982 Ms. Valerie Talmage, Acting Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington St. Boston, MA 02108 Dear Ms. Talmage: It has come to my attention that on December 8, 1982 the Arthur A. Smith covered bridge will be considered for nomination to the National Register of Historical Places.

I urge the state review board to take favorable action so that this bridge can be listed on the federal government's official list of historic properties worthy of preservation. The Arthur A. Smith Bridge, built in 1869 serves as one of Massachusetts few remaining covered bridges. Aside from its unique architectural qualities, it is also an integral part of the character and community of this small and traditional New England town. This structure is certainly worthy of special note and preservation and, again, I urge the review board to take favorable action. Sincerely, John W. Olver Senator JWO/mn NOV # 2 1882 NASS. HIST. COMM Caleu Tare Che Cemmmirrein.. dmck tamud buli, me snic "'a.., la éhe Patil Keg extee f 1etrie Penee el yuurs l y misenhu" Eitind 37stuta Rutert E, Cike,, Las e. oditte Kacz't. venesle fohnr Thitt deau senidye e Cary Wima &. falipe Cilvr É.

Casce Ciliielle yy trecter Tala vemnss Beiluce K. Bguue C Furingt Fatw Sheridan Nadiline yran tritick S Linch Jinart Cutlens Evelyn a Cuting Hes, Thelme In.Gttg Cal Dt: Guli and Danill Bnd Bepic Kalsk Streta Kalkpu B Fattesni Margaret Dayd Guris d riells. Euetaiy dR Sazrlest Muctl alip ault Firtr stuti - Llakya Birt Haugant sifhilsoloae EMBASSY OF IH! UNITED STATES Of AMERICA Rome, Italy November 24, 1982 RECENL. DE: -01982 Dear Members: MASC. HICT. COMM. It has come to my attention that you are considering nominating the Arthur A. Smith covered bridge in Colrain to the National Register of Historic Places. As a home-owner in Colrain, I am delighted that you are aware of the vast importance of this bridge. It is one of the very few remaining covered bridges in New England, and all of us have been most concerned that we might lose it.

It is of great significance both from an historical point of view and also from the great beauty that is contri- butes to the landscape. Thank you for your interest, Sincerely yours, MaxwellM. Rabb Maxwell M. Rabb Ambassador To the Members Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION December 15, 1982 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State Ms. Carol Shull National Register of llistoric Places National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, DC 20243 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Boston - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (national) Colrain - Arthur A.

Smith Covered Bridge (state) Concord - Colonel Roger Brown House (local) Tisbury - William Street Historic District (local) All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination forms. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkins Registration Director Massachusetts Wistorical Commission CJ/pg <9 RECEIVED DEC 27 1982 NATIONAL REGISTER MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State February 25, 1983 Ms.

Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find a copy of a letter of support for the Arthur Smith Covered Bridge (Colrain, Ma.) National Register nomination. The nomination was sent to you on December 15, 1982. Sincerely, Vignia Fitch Virginia Fitch Preservation Planner Enclosure VF:jbm CONN. RIVER VALLEY COVERED BRIDGE SOCIETY February 22,1983 Massachusetts Historic Coission 294 Washington Street Boston, Il 02108 Re: Arthur Snith Covered Bridge, Colrain, Mass. The Connecticut River Valley Covered Bridge Society has long been concerned with the preservation of the Arthur Smith Covered Bridge in Colrain, 1ass.

Tirzan Lincoln, President Imiritous of our Suciety, has been urging the Selectmen of Colrain for several years to take the necessary steps to have their last covered wooden bridge placed on the Nutional Register. Last November our Society was inforned. that Colrain has filed their application with your office. One of only four historic hignway coverea wuouen briages left in Massachusetts, the Arthur Snith Bridge ought to be preserved as the only Burr truss bridge left in lassachusetts. The Connecticut River Valley Covered Bridge Society wants to have its endorsement of the Arthur Smith Bridge application placed on file in your office. Sincerely, täluard 0.Neruud Edward D. Thomas Secretart