The 1874 Rexleigh Covered Bridge crosses over the Batten Kill in Washington County, New York. Constructed by Reubin Comins and George Wadsworth, Rexleigh Bridge is a single span of 107 feet built with a Howe truss located in the Town of Jackson-Salem, east of State Route 22 on Rexleigh Road. The Rexleigh Covered Bridge is one of four covered bridges still standing in Washington County and is owned and maintained by the county.

When the railroad arrived around 1853, a needed bridge would provide a vital link to the rail service for the farms on the south side of the Batten Kill. The present bridge was built in the 1870’s improving on William Howe’s design by the use of iron shoes in place of wooden shoes, or thrust blocks which were used to fit timbers into joints with iron rods. It appears that the bridge was prefabricated in Troy, dismantled, and transported by rail to Rexleigh where it was reassembled. Another unusual feature of this bridge was its slate roof. It isn’t known if it was originally built with a slate roof, but in 1984 it was replaced with lightweight wood shingles.

The flood of 1927 almost swept the Rexleigh Covered Bridge downstream. Old photographs show a water stain partway up the siding. Another major flood in 1938 washed out the dam upstream. A severe flood in 1977 undermined the southwest abutment, causing the bridge to settle. This, combined with the structural damage caused by rot, led to the closing of the bridge on September 7, 1977. The bridge literally stood in a decaying state as wood beetles ate away at the main supporting structures. By 1979, the county decided to demolish the bridge and replace it with a newer steel and concrete structure. The word demolish did not sit well with the bridge’s neighbor and unofficial keeper, Mr. Bernice Langlois, and other concerned citizens. Mr. Langlois circulated a petition and collected 1,500 names requesting that the covered bridge be saved. With the help of his daughter, Sally Smith, they organized a meeting in 1980 to raise public support.

Out of this meeting came the Rexleigh Covered Bridge Association. The group quickly contacted New Hampshire's premier covered bridge restorer, Milton Graton of Graton Associates. He offered to repair the structure, supporting rods, iron shoes, floor, and marble abutments for $59,000 – a price he guaranteed for two years. The Board of Supervisors agreed but stipulated that the Rexleigh Covered Bridge Association raise $20,000 of the total cost. The fund drive was successful and raised $30,000 made up of donations.

By December 1983, the reconstruction of the main structure of the bridge with raised abutments by two feet was completed. The covered bridge was rededicated on August 12, 1984.

Over the decades, the Rexleigh Covered Bridge has been re-sided, re-roofed, and re-painted a number of times. In the 1940s, the Washington County paint scheme was Venetian red with white portal trim. During the complete 2006-2007 rehabilitation, the bridge was once again returned to the Venetian red color.

It was individually inventoried by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation in 1977.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 8, 1978.

Located at:  N43 08.088    W73 21.340     -     WGCB #32-58-03

Photographed in May 2023