The Hartland Covered Bridge

The longest covered bridge in the world is located right here in Hartland.  It was constructed in 1901 to cross the Saint John River and measures an astounding 1,282 feet.  It is admired by engineers around the world and is one of New Brunswick’s top attractions.  The one-lane bridge was built out of cedar spruce and hard pine, and local businessmen helped with the construction, making the costs a mere $30,000. It was originally built by locals who formed the Hartland Bridge Company, but the government of New Brunswick bought it in 1906. 

The bridge was officially opened in July, 1901 with toll charges of three cents for pedestrians, six cents for a single horse and wagon, and twelve cents for a double team.  The government removed the tolls when it took ownership.

Initially, the bridge was not covered.  On April 6, 1920, two spans of the bridge were destroyed by river ice.  The government then made repairs to the bridge and covered the structure in 1922. They also added a covered side walkway in 1945.

Provincial Archives New Brunswick, Ralph Day Collection: P460-17

On June 23, 1980, the bridge was declared a National Historic Site and in 1999 it was declared a Provincial Historic Site.

In 1983, a car struck a steel rod, causing a break in the main beam on the western most span.  While the car only received $400 worth of damage, the repairs to the bridge cost $140,000.

In 1987 the Olympic torch was carried through the bridge on its way to the Winter Olympics in Calgary that year.

In the spring of 2008, the bridge underwent major support beam repairs and will continue with repairs in the fall of 2008.

Today, you can still drive across the bridge.

A Wishing Bridge

An old tradition states that when you enter the bridge, if you make a wish, close your eyes, cross your fingers, and hold your breath for the entire length of the bridge, then your wish will come true!

This legend developed when the bridge was still used by horses and wagons.  It is said that men trained their horses to stop half way across the bridge and wait until the couple shared a kiss and then continue across the bridge.  Today, it is still consider a spot for love as couples still go to the bridge to share a kiss and experience the spirit of the old bridge.  Also, in September 1993, Charmaine Laffoley and David Hunt of Toronto became the first couple to be married on the bridge.