Van Tran Flat Bridge

Van Tran Flat Bridge (also known as the Motts Flats Bridge, the Livingston Manor Covered Bridge, or the Van Tran Bridge) is a wooden, single span covered bridge that crosses Willowemoc Creek in the town of Rockland, in Sullivan County, New York. The bridge was built in 1860 by John Davidson and features a Town lattice truss and a laminated arch system. This makes it the oldest covered bridge in Sullivan County. The bridge was closed and abandoned in 1972, but restoration began in 1984. The Van Tran Flat Bridge is 103 feet (31 m) long, reduced from its original 117 feet (36 m), and leads to Livingston Manor Covered Bridge County Park

Van Tran Flat Bridge or Livingston Manor Covered Bridge
Side view of the covered bridge with the Willowemoc Creek located directly below
The Van Tran Flat Bridge, image taken from the Willowemoc Creek
Coordinates41°54′52″N 74°49′53″W
CrossesWillowemoc Creek
LocaleRockland, New York
Characteristics
DesignCovered Bridge
Total length103 ft (31m)
History
Construction end1860
Closed1972 (temporarily)
Location

History

The Van Tran Flat Bridge (originally named The Motts Flats Bridge,[1] later referred to as The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge[2] or the Van Tran Bridge[3]) was first constructed in 1860 by John Davidson to cross the Willowemoc Creek located in the town of Rockland, in Sullivan County, New York. It is located at 130 Covered Bridge Road Livingston Manor, NY 12758.[2] The original bridge was 117 feet (36 m) of single span road and featured a town lattice truss. The bridge was constructed from timber and followed a similar design to other bridges in the Catskill region. The Van Tran Flat Bridge was constructed 5 years before the Beaverkill Covered Bridge, also built by John Davidson; thus making The Van Tran Flat Bridge the oldest of the 4 covered bridge in Sullivan County.[4][5]

On August 26th, 1940 the Van Tran Flat Bridge's decking was damaged by a loaded truck when it veered off the bridge into the Willowemoc Creek. Repair of the bridge involved $437.75 worth of materials and $174.80 in labor; with 8 workers being responsible for the repairs.[3]

Sometime after 1958, the original dry-laid stone abutments were refaced with concrete. In 1972, the bridge was closed and formally abandoned. In 1984, the Sullivan County’s Department of Public Works alongside Milton S. Graton began restoring the bridge. The restoration project involved the use of original construction techniques and required replacing the truss, chords, floor, roof, and treenails. Furthermore, the original queenpost truss was removed, additional laminated arches were added for support, and the total length of the bridge was reduced to 103 feet (31 m). In November 1985, the bridge was reopened.[5][2]

Today, the bridge is maintained and own by Sullivan County, New York, and is open to cars. The New York State Covered Bridge Society has classified the Van Tran Flat Bridge as one of 24 'authentic' historic covered bridges in the state of New York. While the placard next to the bridge claims it is on both the State and National Register of Historic Places, this is incorrect.[3][6][5]

Associated locations

Located on the road adjacent to the bridge is the original homestead of Dr. John Mott, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a founding member of the YMCA.[7] Nearby the Van Tran Flat Bridge is The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park, a park named after the bridge.This park is open from May to October annually, and features a pavilion.[8][9] The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum and New York State Route 17 are located nearby.[3][8]

  • Front view of the Van Tran Flat Bridge
    Front view of the Van Tran Flat Bridge
  • Side view of the Van Tran Flat Covered Bridge, taken from the bank of the Willowemoc Creek.
    Side view of the Van Tran Flat Covered Bridge, taken from the bank of the Willowemoc Creek.

See also

References
  1. "Livingston Manor Van Tran Flat | New York State Covered Bridge Society". Archived from the original on 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  2. "Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park | Sullivan County NY". sullivanny.us. Archived from the original on 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  3. Kane, Bob; Kane, Trish (2014-10-27). New York State's Covered Bridges. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-4805-6. Archived from the original on 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  4. "covered bridge specifications". The Kingston Daily Freeman. 1974-06-07. p. 39. Archived from the original on 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  5. "Van Tran Flat | New York State Covered Bridge Society". Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  6. Badolato, Fina. "9 covered bridges in Ulster, Sullivan counties to check out this fall". Times Herald-Record. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  7. "Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  8. "Livingston Manor facts". The Journal News. 2021-10-17. pp. C3. Archived from the original on 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  9. Badolato, Fina. "9 covered bridges in Ulster, Sullivan counties to check out this fall". Times Herald-Record. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
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