Willowmoc - 1860
The Willowemoc Bridge, also known as the Bendo Bridge, is a wooden covered bridge over Willowemoc Creek in the town of Rockland, in Sullivan County, New York.
Built in 1860, this single-span, 48-foot long twin Town lattice truss bridge, built by John Davidson, was originally located in Livingston Manor. The structure was moved to its present site over Willowemoc Brook in 1913 by Joseph Sherwood. With the changes it has gone through, it does NOT qualify for the National Register of Historic Places.
This bridge is one of four covered bridges still standing in Sullivan County. It is owned and maintained by the county and carries limited local traffic across Willowemoc Creek. The Willowemoc Creek is well known as one of the best fishing creeks in the area.
Willowemoc Bridge is one of five covered bridges in New York State that has a timber approach. The original Town truss design no longer actually supports this bridge as it was originally designed to do, so it is now classified as a Stringer.
When originally built in Livingston Manor, it stood just off Main Street and a small, open King post span was connected to one end of the bridge. Older photographs of the covered bridge’s interior show the bridge covered with numerous old advertisements. This was typical in many covered bridges, as what better place for advertisements you wanted folks to see than on a bridge everyone traveled.
In 1913, the village decided to build a new bridge. Half of the covered bridge was moved to its present location, crossing Willowemoc Creek, where it still stands today and is known as the Bendo Covered Bridge. When it was re-erected, the bridge was shortened to 48 feet. When visiting this bridge, be sure to notice the treenails (pronounced “tunnels”) holes in the decking. You will see where parts of the original bridge were used in the reconstruction process.
On October 23, 1970, high waters on the Willowemoc Creek undermined one of the abutments, dropping one end of the bridge into the creek below. A short time later, a crane gently lifted the bridge and placed it onto the nearby creek bank, where it rested until the spring of 1971. Repair work continued throughout the spring and summer of 1971, with the state spending $65,000 for repairs. By early fall, it was ready for limited local traffic. In 1985, it was once again rebuilt but this time without functional trusses so it is now considered a Stringer. The Bendo Covered Bridge plays an integral role in the activities of the adjoining campground where it proudly stands.
It is one of 24 covered bridges in New York State.
Located at: N41 54.402 W74 41.966 - WGCB #32-53-04
Photographed in August of 2015.