Low's Covered Bridge, also known as Lowes Covered bridge, was originally built in 1857 but was washed away by the flood of April 1, 1987. A modern covered bridge, patterned after the original, was built on the original abutments in 1990. The replacement was built to have a larger load capacity and was raised in order to prevent future flood damage. The bridge has a clear span of 120 feet over the Piscataquis River and is located just off Route 15, south of Guilford Village in Piscataquis County.

One of nine historic covered bridges remaining within the state of Maine. The 130-foot-long truss-covered bridge is the fourth covered bridge at this location, having been built in 1990 after the flood.

The Low's Covered Bridge sits adjacent to land once owned by Robert Low, an early settler of Guilford, Maine. In order to make local travel easier for commercial purposes, the towns of Guilford and Sangerville built the original covered bridge in 1830. However, a flood washed away the first bridge in 1832, so the second covered bridge was built in the same location. The second covered bridge washed away in a flood in 1857. I have noticed that 1832 and 1857 were years that brought devastating flooding to covered bridges in northern New England.

The third Low's Covered Bridge was rebuilt in 1857 and by modern standards was one lane wide. The foundation and approach to the covered bridge were constructed by Isaac Wharff, who hauled the granite used for the abutments more than 7 miles by an oxen team from Guilford Mountain. Leonard Knowlton, the bridge's carpenter, used a patented Long truss design that used mathematical calculations to develop a truss design that looked like the letter X. The third covered bridge lasted 130 years.

Plans to rebuild this treasured local landmark and a tribute to early engineering ingenuity began as soon as the flood waters along the Piscataquis receded. Ryan-Biggs Associates of New York designed a bridge that replicated the original as closely as possible and strengthened the overall structure bringing it into compliance with current codes and standards. Chesterfield Associates of Westport Island, Maine assembled the new Low's Covered Bridge offsite, and more than 1,000 people watched as it was rolled into place on August 23. 1990. The new covered bridge sits on the original stone-masonry abutments that were raised almost 3 feet to reduce the potential for future flood damage.

The Low's Covered Bridge has been named a National Historic Landmark.

Located at:  N45 10.512    W69 18.902     -     WGCB #19-11-01 #2

Photographed in June 2022