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The Lost Legacy Of Sawyer Pond Covered Bridge: 5 Shocking Facts About Essex County's Vanished Gem

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Few historical structures hold a more intriguing and slightly tragic story than the Sawyer Pond Covered Bridge. As of today, December 25, 2025, the structure that once spanned Sawyer Pond in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts, is no longer the iconic covered bridge that preservationists and enthusiasts remember. It stands as a powerful, yet often overlooked, monument to a brief era of modern covered bridge construction, now stripped of the very element that defined it. This article delves into the unique history of the MA/21-05-13 bridge, revealing why this New England gem is now considered a "lost" covered bridge and what remains for visitors to see.

The bridge’s story is a fascinating blend of local history, architectural revival, and a surprising turn of events that saw its defining feature—the protective cover—removed entirely. Located near the historic Magnolia section of Gloucester, this site continues to draw visitors who are curious about the fate of the only covered bridge ever built in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the modern era.

The Samuel Sawyer Connection: Biography of a Naming Legacy

The name "Sawyer Pond" and its associated bridge are directly linked to a prominent 19th-century figure in Gloucester’s history, Samuel Elwell Sawyer. While Samuel E. Sawyer was not the bridge's builder, his legacy is permanently etched into the landscape of Essex County.

  • Full Name: Samuel Elwell Sawyer.
  • Dates: 1813–1882.
  • Primary Occupation: Businessman, merchant, and philanthropist.
  • Key Historical Role: Sawyer amassed a significant fortune through his business ventures, primarily in the mercantile house of his time.
  • Land Legacy: He was a major landowner in the West Gloucester area, particularly near Freshwater Cove. Upon his death, his extensive land holdings, which included the area around what is now Sawyer Pond, were designated for preservation.
  • Modern Connection: Much of the land he owned eventually became part of the protected area known as Ravenswood Park, managed by The Trustees of Reservations. The pond and the bridge that crosses it were named in honor of his family’s historical presence and contribution to the area.

The bridge itself was a modern tribute to a historical figure, built well over a century after Samuel E. Sawyer’s death, yet it carries the weight of his enduring local legacy.

1. The Shocking Truth: The Cover is Gone, and It's Not a Covered Bridge Anymore

The single most surprising fact for anyone searching for the Sawyer Pond Covered Bridge is its current status: it is no longer covered. The structure, officially listed under the inventory number MA/21-05-13, was built in the early 1980s (sources cite 1983 or 1990) as a functional, yet historically-inspired, timber crossing.

However, sometime in the 1990s, the Town of Gloucester made the decision to remove the roof and side sheathing—the very elements that make a bridge "covered." The reason for the removal is generally attributed to deterioration, maintenance costs, or structural concerns, though specific records are scarce. Today, the structure remains as a flat open bridge, essentially a timber-supported deck over the water.

This transformation means that the Sawyer Pond Bridge is now classified by preservationists as a "lost" covered bridge, despite the underlying truss structure potentially still existing. Visitors hoping for the classic, picturesque New England covered bridge experience will instead find a functional, uncovered wooden span.

2. It Was a Rare Modern Revival of the Town Lattice Truss Design

Before its cover was removed, the Sawyer Pond Bridge was a remarkable example of a modern covered bridge revival. Its design utilized the Town Lattice Truss, a distinctive and historically significant bridge type.

The Town Lattice Truss was patented in 1820 by the American architect Ithiel Town. This design uses a dense, crisscrossing network of relatively small timbers, joined by wooden pegs (treenails or trunnels), creating a strong, yet visually elegant, web-like structure.

The Gloucester bridge, spanning approximately 36 feet across Sawyer Pond, was a late-20th-century homage to this classic 19th-century engineering. Its construction in 1983 or 1990 made it one of the newest covered bridges in Massachusetts at the time of its completion. The decision to use the Town Lattice Truss highlights a brief period of local interest in reviving traditional timber engineering, making its subsequent de-covering all the more poignant for enthusiasts of bridge history.

3. The Bridge is Located in the Historic Ravenswood Park Area

The area surrounding the former covered bridge is a major point of topical authority and interest for nature lovers and history buffs. Sawyer Pond is located within the greater area of Ravenswood Park, a stunning, protected reservation in West Gloucester.

Ravenswood Park is a 600-acre reservation featuring miles of carriage paths and trails, making the journey to the bridge site a scenic adventure. The park’s landscape—a mix of woodlands, swamps, and rocky outcroppings—was carefully managed by Samuel E. Sawyer in the 19th century. Visitors to the bridge often combine the trip with hikes to other landmarks within the park, such as the Great Swamp or the historic stone structures and footpaths that crisscross the reservation.

The bridge itself carries a path over the pond, connecting different sections of the park’s trail system. This placement means the bridge's primary function is for pedestrian and light recreational use, not heavy vehicular traffic, which is typical for many preserved or revived covered bridge sites.

4. A Unique Case of 'De-Covering' in Covered Bridge Preservation

The history of covered bridges is usually one of either preservation, restoration, or complete loss (demolition or destruction by fire/flood). The Sawyer Pond Bridge represents a unique fourth category: de-covering. This act is rare and often controversial within the covered bridge community. The purpose of the cover is to protect the structural timber truss from the elements, ensuring a lifespan far exceeding that of an open timber bridge.

By removing the cover, the bridge lost its historical designation and its architectural purpose. It transitioned from a protected, historic-style structure to a simple timber span, exposing the underlying Town Lattice Truss to the weather. This decision cemented its status as a piece of "lost" heritage, even though the bridge itself remains in place, serving as a functional crossing on the trail system near Magnolia. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by local authorities in maintaining non-essential historical infrastructure.

5. Visiting the Site: What to Expect Today at Sawyer Pond

For enthusiasts determined to visit the site of the former Sawyer Pond Covered Bridge, the experience is less about the bridge and more about the beautiful natural setting of Essex County. The bridge is located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, near the intersection of Western Avenue and Magnolia Avenue, providing access to Ravenswood Park.

What to expect when you visit:

  • The Bridge: You will find a functional, uncovered wooden bridge spanning the pond. The original Town Lattice Truss may still be visible, but it is exposed to the elements.
  • The Location: The site is tranquil and scenic, set amidst the protected woodlands of Ravenswood Park. It is an excellent location for birdwatching and enjoying the New England forest.
  • Accessibility: The bridge is accessible via the park's trail system. Parking is available at the Ravenswood Park entrance, and the walk to the pond is considered light to moderate.
  • Nearby Attractions: While in the area, visitors can explore the historic fishing port of Gloucester, the scenic coastline of Cape Ann, and other local landmarks like the Hammond Castle Museum and the Blynman Canal Bridge.

The Sawyer Pond Bridge in Essex County, Massachusetts, stands today not as a covered bridge, but as a silent testament to its own short-lived history. Its story is a crucial chapter in the preservation—and occasional un-preservation—of New England's cherished timber crossings.

The Lost Legacy of Sawyer Pond Covered Bridge: 5 Shocking Facts About Essex County's Vanished Gem
sawyer's pond covered bridge essex
sawyer's pond covered bridge essex

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