Virginia's Covered Bridges

By Susan M. Thigpen © 1988

Issue: January–February, 1988

A SCENE FROM YESTERDAY - Reynolds Farm Bridge, Giles County, Virginia. Drawn by artist Joe Nutt. Front Page art on our January and February, 1988 combined issue.

This little 36 feet bridge, located on the south side of U.S. 42, about three miles north of Newport, Virginia is on the private farm of the Reynolds family. House, barns and bridge lie in a bowl rimmed by hills, a tiny idyllic cluster, as seen from the highway above.

Harry B. Reynolds built the bridge with help from members of the community in 1919. Ownership of the farm and bridge then passed to his son Clarence K. Reynolds, then on to his grandson Ralph Reynolds and granddaughter Deanne Porterfield, the current owners. The property is now leased and operated by Clarence's nephew, Sam Reynolds. The farm in the past has apparently been known as both Red Maple and Maple Shade Farm.

The bridge also spans Sinking Creek, that meanders for miles in its valley, and is of a Burr Truss type construction similar to the other two Giles County bridges. It has been strengthened over the years and is used for farm traffic. Today it appears in need of at least minor repairs.

Staunton artist Joe Nutt has created a series of pen and ink drawings of covered bridges which are still standing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Photolith prints, in black and white, of the nine different bridge drawings have been combined in a portfolio which includes historical notes on each of the nine extant bridges.

The prints are suitable for framing, produced on the highest quality acid–free paper and with an image size of approximately 8"X10", a standard size for matting.

The bridges are all located in western Virginia, in the counties of Allegheny, Campbell, Giles, Patrick, Rockingham, and Shenandoah. They all span rivers or creeks, were designed for vehicles, and stand on their original sites.

The portfolios are for sale at $15 each (plus 68 cents sales tax for Virginia residents) and are available from Nutt Studios, P.O. Box 135, Staunton, Va. 24401.

For further information, contact Joe Nutt at (703) 886–8482.