Millbrook Covered Bridge, Hardenburgh, Ulster County

The Millbrook Covered bridge, also known as the Grant Mills Covered Bridge, was originally constructed in 1902 by Edgar Marks, his son Orrin Marks and Wesley Alton. Bridge construction, assisted by local craftsman, took place over the course of nearly seven months, opening to traffic on December 8, 1902.
The town lattice truss bridge is approximately 17 feet wide and 69 feet long as it crosses the Mill Brook. The bridge is located in the town of Hardenburgh in Ulster County, less than a ½ mile from the border with Delaware County. The single lane bridge is closed to vehicular traffic. The Millbrook Covered Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Like several other covered bridges in the Catskills, the Millbrook Covered Bridge interior employs the Town lattice truss which is characterized by a horizontal top and bottom chord connected by an ininterrupted series of alternating (criss-crossed), closely spaced, parallel, diagonal timbers. These diagonal timbers were connected with wooden, 1.5 to 2 inch, pins called tree nails, but sometimes pronounces and spelled as trunnels. The trunnels, made of hardwood, in essence hold the bridge together. This Town Lattice design, patented by Ithiel Town in 1820, creates a beautiful “X” shaped symmetry of lattice work. The Town lattice trusses were popular in the 19th century for their strength and ease of construction.

“The Millbrook valley has long been known as one of the beauty spots of the Catskills, if not the entire state. Residents of the area should make a “get acquainted” trip over this road some day this summer. Go over the Barkaboom or Beech hill mountain, then up the Beaverkill and back to the Millbrook valley by Cross mountain. Folks will never believe there is such breath taking beauty till once they have seen it.
– Catskill Mountain News, May 28, 1954