Delaware County NY Genealogy and History Site

In going through old family photos taken by my grandfather, William Clay Ruland, I found this shot of Covered Bridge taken in 1931. My grandfather was Highway Commissioner in Schoharie County for years and traveled around taking photos of all kinds of things, especially bridges. --Bonny Bouck Wilson

This is a picture of the Colchester Bridge taken from NYS Route 30 side of the East Branch of the Delaware River. It was located midway between Corbett and Downsville and the piers are still there. That would have been about 10 miles down river from Pepacton. The river was full to the banks, but not overflowing by appearance. Originally the bridge had one pier, but the second was added in the 1920's. It was voted to build the bridge at a town meeting Feb. 13, 1834 & it was built for $800. Due to disrepair the bridge was closed and boarded up on both ends in 1947. On New Year's Day 1948, the end toward the back side of the river fell into the river. The following fall, the rest of the bridge was torn down and burned.

The barn in the background is a 4 story barn and was part of my home farm. Part of the farm is still owned by my children although another farmer owns the farm land. It has been in my family since the early 1920's. The farmer who owns the farm land hung a sign on the milkhouse "The Neff Farm."

There is a picture of this bridge taken during its last years on the web page at: colchesterbridgegagner.html.