Johnsonville Covered Bridge

Johnsonville Village was once a thriving mill community and tourist attraction located in East Haddam, Connecticut. Johnsonville’s covered bridge was an example of early bridge construction. Kronenberger & Sons Restoration finds its roots intertwined with Johnsonville. KSR’s founder, Tom Kronenberger Sr., was hired by Raymond Schmitt in the 1960s to move and rebuild antique buildings, including a Victorian stable and chapel to the site of Johnsonville. Thomas Kronenberger Sr. and six men began work on the bridge on July 1st, 1976. The Bicentennial Covered Bridge is supported by both arch trusses and king post trusses, two methods of historic bridge building. During construction, the main trusses were built on land and hoisted into place by crane. Framing timbers for the project came from Charles Parker Co. in Meriden and historic lumber for the exterior covering was found in storage near the site of the bridge. Once completed on November 3, 1976, the bridge contained 5 different species of wood. Most original covered bridges have a single opening at each end large enough for the passage of horse and carriage. Johnsonville’s covered bridge contains two openings at each end, one for carriages and one for pedestrians.