Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge
Designed by our very own long time volunteer and trustee Jed Dixon, the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge on a public road in Rhode Island. It is located on Central Pike, just west of the intersection with Foster Center Road (Rte 94) in Foster. Foster Preservation Society has Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge t-shirts for sale on their website.
History excerpted from the dedication of the bridge November 5th, 1994:
In 1986 Robert Salisbury proposed that a covered bridge be built in Foster in honor of Rhode Island’s 350th anniversary. The Town Council gave the approval. Charles Borders became the head of a committee to build the bridge. Jed Dixon designed the bridge after a design patented in 1820 by Ithiel Town, an architect from Thompson, CT. The ‘Town Truss’ design incorporated a simple, sturdy construction and the use of materials that were inexpensive and locally available. Foster’s Covered Bridge was built with locally milled oak and pine and hand made wooden pegs.
On Sunday May 23, 1993 the Swamp Meadow Bridge was dedicated, the result of generous donations of materials and services by many people.
On Saturday September 11, 1993 the bridge was completely destroyed by fire.
On Sunday September 19, 1993 at a meeting at the Foster Town House, there was a unanimous vote to rebuild the Swamp Meadow Bridge. Citizen’s Bank established a free checking account for donations and made its own generous donation to the fund. At that time, Bridge Committee Chairman Charles Borders and Master Builder Jed Dixon predicted that the bridge could not be replaced until the Fall of 1994. The Foster Town Council approved the rebuilding on September 23.
Today we rededicate the resurrected ‘Swamp Meadow Bridge.’ This would not be possible without the unbelievable donation of services, of materials and of money by so many people. Not only has the bridge been rebuilt, but due to the generosity of so many, a fund has been established for maintenance.
Every day is a new beginning. We are proud of what the Swamp Meadow Bridge represents. We hope that future generations will be able to enjoy and respect the effort of so many.
