Maine's covered bridges have been a subject of affection for countless photographers, artists, visitors, and outdoor enthusiasts for many decades, thanks to their quaint, historic charm. There are a total of 8 covered bridges dotting the gorgeous natural landscapes of Maine, each with its own unique character, construction, and story. Planning a trip to see Maine's covered bridges is a great way to get to know the state, and our real estate agents have some interesting facts to shed light on the history of each of the 8 bridges.

Historic Covered Bridges in Maine

• Babb's Bridge – Hurricane Rd., Gorham, ME 04038
  Spanning the Presumpscot River that separates the towns of Windham and Gorham, Babb's Bridge is the oldest covered bridge in Maine. It was first built in 1840, though it has had to be repaired and even rebuilt multiple times since. The original bridge was severely damaged in a fire in 1973, but was rebuilt with local lumber and reopened to traffic in 1976. Babb's Bridge is still standing strong and open to vehicle traffic in the present day.
  
  
• Bennett Bridge – Littlehale Rd., Errol, ME 03579
  We move from Maine's oldest covered bridge to its newest, though new in this case still means more than a century old. Construction on Bennett Bridge began in 1898 and was completed by 1901. Local carpenters Horace Bennett and Fred Taylor installed the distinctive Paddleford trusses before a bridge construction company finished building the bridge. Bennett Bridge checks in at 93 feet long and spans the Magalloway River, though it was closed to traffic in 1985.
  
  
• Hemlock Bridge – Hemlock Bridge Rd., Fryeburg, ME 04037
  Due to its location on a floodplain over a channel of the Saco River, Hemlock Bridge has some unique construction characteristics. The bridge was constructed on granite abutments to strengthen its base, and its Paddleford truss construction was augmented with laminated wooden arches to provide further reinforcement. Originally constructed in 1857, Hemlock Bridge was further reinforced in order to carry local traffic beginning in 1988.
  
  
• Lovejoy Bridge – Covered Bridge Rd., Andover, ME 04216
  With a length of just 70 feet spanning the Ellis River, Lovejoy Bridge is Maine's shortest covered bridge. It was built in 1858 with Paddleford trusses, and its name is taken from the Lovejoy house which was located nearby. Lovejoy Bridge was the site of a daring water rescue of two young boys who got caught in the currents while canoeing in 1936. This bridge was reinforced to carry local traffic in 1984, after sustaining damage due to an accident involving a large truck in 1983.
  
  
• Lowes Bridge – Lowes Bridge Rd., Guilford, ME 04443
  The original Lowe's Bridge was first constructed in 1857, though sadly it was washed away in flood in 1987. A new bridge patterned carefully after the original, was built in 1990, with a span of 120 feet crossing the Piscataquis River. While it retains the original construction style, the new Lowe's Bridge was reinforced to carry heavier traffic and raised in order to prevent flood damage in the future.
  
  
• Porter-Parsonsfield Bridge – Kezar Mountain Rd., Parsonsfield, ME 04047
  A joint construction project between the towns of Porter and Parsonsfield, the Porter-Parsonsfield Bridge was built in 1859 spanning the Ossipee River. Legends say that representatives from the two towns argued over construction on a cold winter night, eventually agreeing to each construct their own half of the bridge to reach the midway point. Though it was closed to traffic when a new bridge was built nearby in 1960, the Porter-Parsonsfield Bridge can still be visited today and is one of Maine's longest-covered bridges at 152 feet.
  
  
• Robyville Bridge – Covered Bridge Rd., Corinth, ME 04427
  With a unique look thanks to its fully shingled exterior, construction on Robyville Bridge was completed in 1876. It's the only fully shingled covered bridge in Maine and spans 73 feet over the Kenduskeag Stream in Corinth. Robyville Bridge features Long Truss design, which differs from the Paddleford trusses found on many other bridges. It was reinforced in 1984 and still carries local traffic in the present day.
  
  
• Sunday River Bridge – Sunday River Rd., Newry, ME 04261
  Of the 8 covered bridges in Maine, the Sunday River Bridge, which was built in 1872, has the reputation of being the most photographed and painted of all the state's covered bridges. For that reason, it has gained the second name of the Artist's Covered Bridge. While it's still a popular place to visit and take photographs, the Sunday River Bridge was closed to traffic in 1958. But you can still find artistic inspiration when you come to see this 87-foot long, Paddleford truss bridge near the town of North Bethel.

Ready to buy or sell your next home close to all of the history and amazing outdoor attractions of Maine? Let our team help you find the perfect match. Contact us to buy and sell homes in your favorite Maine communities.