Zumbrota Covered Bridge
The concrete center support column and steel under-support
beams were added in 1997 when the bridge was again placed
over the Zumbro River.

HISTORY OF THE
ZUMBROTA COVERED BRIDGE

Minnesota's last remaining covered bridge, the Zumbrota Covered Bridge, is located in Zumbrota, Minnesota in Goodhue County. In 1869, the Stafford Western Emigration Company contracted a member of their organization to construct the bridge. On its original location the bridge channeled the stage coach traffic between Dubuque, Iowa and St. Paul through the small village of Zumbrota.

The bridge was constructed at a cost of $5,800 by a local carpenter using the town lattice truss design. As initially constructed, the bridge was built with white-pine timbers used for the structural supports and the floor, and the planks were pinned together with turned white-oak dowels. The dowels were soaked in linseed oil and coated with a red iron oxide in order to preserve them from the elements.

Shortly after the bridge was constructed, the Stafford Western Emigration Company enclosed it with weatherproof sides and portals and a low gabled roof with cedar shingles. A vertical board-and-batten exterior trim was added to the sides and portals. The enclosure was completed by 1871 and served to lengthen the life of the structural supports beyond their normal projected twenty years of serviceability.

The bridge has a span of about one hundred twenty feet and is fifteen feet wide. The exterior was originally painted red, in later years it was painted white.

Minnesota's only remaining authentic covered bridge
was originally located on Main Street (1929 photo).
Note bridge was painted white.

In 1932, when the covered bridge was replaced by the Minnesota Highway Department with a steel bridge that could handle the increased traffic, it was moved to the nearby Goodhue County Fairgrounds for preservation purposes.

The organization of the Zumbrota Covered Bridge Society began the community's efforts to preserve the last remaining covered bridge in Minnesota. Repainted red and reroofed with cedar shingles, the bridge was moved to the Zumbrota Covered Bridge Park in 1970.

In 1997, the Covered Bridge was placed over the Zumbro River at West Avenue, one block west of its original location and near the new City Hall and new Public Library.

The preservation of the covered bridge is assured not only by the community and the Covered Bridge Society, but also by the Goodhue County Historical Society and the Minnesota Historical Society which has contributed both support and technical assistance.

Considered a form of art by many, and a technical innovation when they were first built, covered bridges, like the Zumbrota Covered Bridge, represent the ideals, skills, and heritage of those New Englanders who were early pioneers in the settlement of the west.

The Historic American Building Survey of 1934 took note of the Zumbrota Covered Bridge in records on file at the Library of Congress. A citation from Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes stated that "... the bridge is of exceptional historical and architectural interest and worthy of the most careful preservation for the future.

In 1996, AIA Minnesota – A Society of the American Institute of Architects included the Zumbrota Covered Bridge in its publication, entitled, 100 places plus 1 – An unofficial architectural survey of favorite Minnesota sites.

Inside the Zumbrota Covered Bridge

ZUMBROTA COVERED BRIDGE PARK

The scenic and historic 64-acre Covered Bridge Park contains nature and snowmobile trails, modern camp sites, shelters, picnic areas, Kid’s Kingdom (a gigantic children’s playground – pictured), public swimming pool, ice rinks, Zumbrota Covered Bridge, and more.

SUMMARY of important dates

1869 – The Zumbrota Covered Bridge was built over the Zumbro River on Highway 58 (north end of business district on Main Street).

1932 – It was replaced by a steel bridge and moved to the Goodhue County Fairgrounds, 2 miles north of Zumbrota.

1964 – The Zumbrota Covered Bridge Society was formed, largely through the efforts of Alma Swanson, a Twin Cities resident. Howard R. Bailey of Zumbrota was the first president. He provided much of the leadership needed to transform a pasture along the river into the Covered Bridge Park. In the early stages, cynics called the park "Bailey's Folly".

1970 – Howard Flaten was hired to move the bridge from the fairgrounds to the Covered Bridge Park. Due to a lack of funds and the poor condition of the bridge, the decision was made not to put it across the river.

1997 – The Covered Bridge was placed over the Zumbro River at West Avenue, one block west of its original location. The concrete center support column and steel under-support beams were added in 1997. The relocation project was done by Minnowa Construction of Harmony, Minnesota and largely paid for by ISTEA grant funds and some local contributions. 

Zumbrota Covered Bridge Music & Arts Festival held the third weekend in June.

Activities include arts & crafts, variety of food booths, sports tournaments, parade, street dance and activities for the entire family. The Covered Bridge Music & Arts Festival is held the third weekend in June. Most activities are held at the Covered Bridge Park and East Park. For more information call City Hall at 732-7318.