Bob Wyer is one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesses, accidents, insurance claims, crime scenes, landscapes, parades and local news events.

There was nothing that Bob couldn’t and wouldn’t photograph. Upon his retirement, Bob donated his extensive collection of over 150,000 photos to the Delaware County Historical Association. The collection is a virtual time capsule of the region from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

See my blog post titled “Bob Wyer: The Delhi Lensman” of February 22, 2020 for an interesting biography of this famed photographer. My personal collection of Bob Wyer photographs can be visited from the gallery page.

As part of my collection, Bob’s photographs of the covered bridges of the Catskills are particularly appealing. Below is an exhibit of some of these covered bridge photographs.

Millbrook Bridge

Millbrook BridgeThis vintage postcard with the title "Millbrook Bridge" was taken by famed photographer Bob Wyer of Delhi, New York.

Bob Wyer is one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesses, accidents, insurance claims, crime scenes, landscapes, parades and local news events. There was nothing that Bob couldn’t and wouldn’t photograph. Upon his retirement, Bob donated his extensive collection of over 150,000 photos to the Delaware County Historical Association. The collection is a virtual time capsule of the region from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

Fitch’s Bridge

Fitch's BridgeEast Delhi, Delaware County

Vintage postcard of a woman in red sweater getting her mail at a snow-covered Fitch’s Covered Bridge as it spans the Delaware River at East Delhi in Delaware County, New York. The postcard was published by Bob Wyer, located at Delhi, New York. It was never mailed.

The historic Fitch’s Covered Bridge was constructed in 1870 by James Frazier and James Warren at a cost of $1,900. The bridge is a single span, one lane wide, constructed using native materials and is 106 feet long as it spans the West Branch of the Delaware River. The bridge was originally located on Kingston Street in Delhi but was moved in 1885 when the town decided to replace the covered bridge with a newer, more durable iron structure. Instead of destroying the relatively new bridge (constructed only 15 years prior), it was moved several miles upstream to its current location. The historic bridge was recently restored in 2001 at a cost of $425,000. Fitches Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the Fitch family website, the bridge is named for Dr. Thomas Fitch (1774-1849) and his younger brother Dr. Cornelius Root Fitch (1783-1846). “Thomas bought a farm at the (site of the future) bridge on the river in 1803. When he left Delhi for Philadelphia in 1806, he sold the farm to Cornelius, who continued to practice medicine in Delhi for 33 years.”

Bob Wyer is one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesses, accidents, insurance claims, crime scenes, landscapes, parades and local news events. There was nothing that Bob couldn’t and wouldn’t photograph. Upon his retirement, Bob donated his extensive collection of over 150,000 photos to the Delaware County Historical Association. The collection is a virtual time capsule of the region from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

Fitches Bridge

Fitches BridgeThe historic Fitch’s Covered Bridge spans the Delaware River at East Delhi in Delaware County, New York. The postcard was published by Bob Wyer, located at Delhi, New York. The postmark on the reverse side shows that it was mailed in 1969.

The historic Fitch’s Covered Bridge was constructed in 1870 by James Frazier and James Warren at a cost of $1,900. The bridge is a single span, one lane wide, constructed using native materials and is 106 feet long as it spans the West Branch of the Delaware River. The bridge was originally located on Kingston Street in Delhi but was moved in 1885 when the town decided to replace the covered bridge with a newer, more durable iron structure. Instead of destroying the relatively new bridge (constructed only 15 years prior), it was moved several miles upstream to its current location. The historic bridge was recently restored in 2001 at a cost of $425,000. Fitches Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the Fitch family website, the bridge is named for Dr. Thomas Fitch (1774-1849) and his younger brother Dr. Cornelius Root Fitch (1783-1846). “Thomas bought a farm at the (site of the future) bridge on the river in 1803. When he left Delhi for Philadelphia in 1806, he sold the farm to Cornelius, who continued to practice medicine in Delhi for 33 years.”

Fitches Bridge

Fitches BridgeThe historic Fitch’s Covered Bridge spans the Delaware River at East Delhi in Delaware County, New York. The postcard was published by Bob Wyer, located at Delhi, New York. The postcard was never mailed.

The historic Fitch’s Covered Bridge was constructed in 1870 by James Frazier and James Warren at a cost of $1,900. The bridge is a single span, one lane wide, constructed using native materials and is 106 feet long as it spans the West Branch of the Delaware River. The bridge was originally located on Kingston Street in Delhi but was moved in 1885 when the town decided to replace the covered bridge with a newer, more durable iron structure. Instead of destroying the relatively new bridge (constructed only 15 years prior), it was moved several miles upstream to its current location. The historic bridge was recently restored in 2001 at a cost of $425,000. Fitches Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the Fitch family website, the bridge is named for Dr. Thomas Fitch (1774-1849) and his younger brother Dr. Cornelius Root Fitch (1783-1846). “Thomas bought a farm at the (site of the future) bridge on the river in 1803. When he left Delhi for Philadelphia in 1806, he sold the farm to Cornelius, who continued to practice medicine in Delhi for 33 years.”

Covered Bridge over the Willowemoc at Livingston Manor, NY

Covered Bridge over the Willowemoc at Livingston Manor, NYLivingston Manor, Sullivan County

Vintage postcard of the Livingston Manor Covered Bridge that was published by Bob Wyer. It was never mailed.

The historic Livingston Manor Covered Bridge, formerly known as the Mott Flats Bridge and more recently as the Vantran Bridge, was originally built in 1860 by John Davidson, a Scottish immigrant, farmer, lumberman and famous Catskills covered bridge builder. The bridge was restored to its original beauty in 1984 by the Division of Public Works. The town lattice truss bridge is approximately 17 feet wide and spans 117 feet over the famous Willowemoc Creek. The single lane bridge is open to vehicular traffic and continues to this day as a key river crossing point for the local community.

The original name of the bridge, Mott Flats, came from the Mott family, who owned land around the bridge. John Mott would later grow in to an influential American figure as the founder of the YMCA, Nobel Peace Prize winner and philanthropist. His original homestead house is located directly adjacent to the bridge.

Bob Wyer is one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesses, accidents, insurance claims, crime scenes, landscapes, parades and local news events. There was nothing that Bob couldn’t and wouldn’t photograph. Upon his retirement, Bob donated his extensive collection of over 150,000 photos to the Delaware County Historical Association. The collection is a virtual time capsule of the region from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

Ancient covered bridge at Dry Brook

Ancient covered bridge at Dry BrookDry Brook, Ulster County

Vintage postcard of a covered bridge in the Dry Brook valley, south of Route 28 between Margaretville and Fleischmanns. The Dry Brook valley was once home to numerous covered bridges but today only three remain, including the historic Forge Covered Bridge, the historic Tappan Covered Bridge and the non-historic Myers Covered Bridge. The postcard was published by Bob Wyer. It was never mailed.

Bob Wyer is one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesses, accidents, insurance claims, crime scenes, landscapes, parades and local news events. There was nothing that Bob couldn’t and wouldn’t photograph. Upon his retirement, Bob donated his extensive collection of over 150,000 photos to the Delaware County Historical Association. The collection is a virtual time capsule of the region from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

Small Covered Bridge on Dry Brook, Ulster County, N.Y.

Small Covered Bridge on Dry Brook, Ulster County, N.Y.This vintage postcard from photographer Bob Wyer depicts one of the covered bridges across the Dry Brook in Ulster County, New York. The postmark on the reverse side shows that the postcard was mailed in 1971.

Old Covered Bridge, Dry Brook, Ulster County, N.Y.

Old Covered Bridge, Dry Brook, Ulster County, N.Y.

Covered Bridge on the Willowemoc

Covered Bridge on the WillowemocThe Bendo Covered Bridge crosses the Willowemoc Creek near the small hamlet of Debruce in Sullivan County. The bridge is a single lane, 48 feet long and supports limited local traffic. The bridge was originally built near Main Street in Livingston Manor by John Davidson in 1860 but was later cut in half and moved to its current location by Joseph Sherwood in 1913. The bridge was originally constructed using the town lattice truss design but is now effectively a stringer type bridge. The bridge is owned and maintained by Sullivan County. Despite its age the current Bendo Covered Bridge is not considered historical since it was significantly modified (i.e. cut in half), rebuilt and is not located near its original location. It is not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The postcard was published by Bob Wyer, one of the most prolific photographers in the history of the Catskills. His photographic career included shooting just about everything, such as passport photos, chauffer licenses, hunting licenses, high school yearbooks, formal portraits, special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, young babies, local stores, hotels and businesses, accidents, insurance claims, crime scenes, landscapes, parades and local news events. There was nothing that Bob couldn’t and wouldn’t photograph. Upon his retirement, Bob donated his extensive collection of over 150,000 photos to the Delaware County Historical Association. The collection is a virtual time capsule of the region from the late 1930s to the 1970s.

Beaverkill Covered Bridge

Beaverkill Covered BridgeThe historic Beaverkill Covered Bridge, also known as Conklin Bridge, was originally built in 1865 by John Davidson, a Scottish immigrant, farmer, lumberman and famous Catskills covered bridge builder. The town lattice truss bridge, located north of Livingston Manor, is 14.5 feet wide and spans 98 feet over the famed Beaverkill River. The historic bridge provides a scenic background as part of the Beaverkill State Campground, one of the oldest campgrounds in the Catskills. It is open to vehicular traffic and continues to this day as a key river crossing point for local communities. The Covered Bridge Pool, a scenic and popular fly-fishing location, is located adjacent and underneath the bridge. The Beaverkill Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The River Calls to Young and Old

The River Calls to Young and OldA barefooted young boy with his jeans rolled up makes his way along the road to the river with fishing pole in hand in this wonderful Bob Wyer photograph. An historic covered bridge in the background rounds out this perfect country scene. The postcard was never mailed.

Dunraven Covered Bridge

Dunraven Covered BridgeThe inscription on the back of this Bob Wyer postcard reads: “Catskill Mountain Vacationlands. Typical of the rural charm in the Delaware River Valley are the old covered bridges, many of which have been used from more than a century. This one is at Dunraven near Margaretville, N.Y.” The postcard was never mailed.

Dunraven Covered Bridge

Dunraven Covered BridgeThe inscription on the back of this Bob Wyer postcard reads: “Catskill Mountain Vacationlands. Typical of the rural charm in the Delaware River Valley are the old covered bridges, many of which have been used from more than a century. This one is at Dunraven near Margaretville, N.Y.” The postcard was never mailed.

Perrine's Bridge

Perrine's BridgeFamed photographer Bob Wyer took this photograph of the historic Perrine’s Covered Bridge. The caption on the reverse side reads “Perrine’s Bridge between Rifton and Rosendale on route 213, Ulster County. Oldest covered bridge in New York State, it crosses the Walkill River . . . a favorite fishing spot.”

The historic Perrine’s Covered Bridge is one of the most popular covered bridges in New York State. Its scenic location and easy accessibility ensure that that it is often visited by artists, photographers, covered bridge fans, regional tourists and those just “passing through”. The bridge has long been touted in New York State and Ulster County tourist guides as step back into the past, a famed landmark and stopping point for any visitor to the county. Local newspapers describe it as a great picnic location or a romantic place to “pop the question”. Local politicians use the bridge site as a backdrop during campaigns, a location to make newsworthy announcements or to stage a photo opportunity. Any visit to the bridge will likely convince the observer that the enduring popularity of Perrine’s Bridge is well deserved.

Perrine’s Covered Bridge was constructed in 1835 by Benjamin Wood at a cost of $1,200. The wooden, 138-foot-long, one-lane bridge is located adjacent to the New York State Thruway as it spans the Wallkill River. It is open to pedestrian traffic only, having been closed to vehicle traffic since 1930. The bridge is named for James W. Perrine, a French Huguenot immigrant and local tavern owner. It is the second oldest covered bridge in New York State, after Hyde Hall Covered Bridge in Otsego County that was built in 1825. Perrine’s Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hamden Covered Bridge

Hamden Covered BridgeThe Hamden Covered Bridge is the backdrop for a cute winter photograph as a little boy pulls his sleigh along the snowy road. The photograph was taken by Bob Wyer. The postcard was never mailed.

Old Covered Bridge (in snow), Dry Brook, Ulster County, N.Y.

Old Covered Bridge (in snow), Dry Brook, Ulster County, N.Y.Photographer Bob Wyer took this charming shot of a snowy covered bridge in the Dry Brook Valley of the Catskills. The postcard was never mailed.