Chiselville Covered Bridge: Vermont’s Famous One Dollar Fine Bridge

“One Dollar Fine For Driving Faster Than A Walk On This Bridge.”

Of all the signs you’ll encounter while exploring Vermont’s back roads, this might be one of my favorites. And it’s been greeting travelers at the Chiselville Covered Bridge in Sunderland, Vermont, for generations.

The bright red covered bridge is beautiful in its own right, perched high above the Roaring Branch of the Batten Kill in Southern Vermont. But it’s the old-fashioned warning posted above the entrance that makes me smile every time I see it.

A one-dollar fine for driving too fast? That’s a pretty good reminder of just how much has changed since Vermont’s covered bridges were first constructed.

And while a dollar might not sound particularly threatening today, the sign tells an interesting story about the history of these bridges and the communities that depended on them.

The Story Behind the One Dollar Fine Sign

The Chiselville Covered Bridge was built in 1870, when horses and wagons were the primary means of transportation along Vermont’s rural roads.

The warning wasn’t simply an attempt to keep travelers from speeding through the village. It served a practical purpose.

When horses crossed wooden bridges at a trot or gallop, the repeated impact of their hooves could create vibrations that placed additional stress on the bridge’s structure. Requiring travelers to slow their horses to a walk helped protect the bridge from unnecessary wear and damage.

And a one-dollar fine was a meaningful penalty in the 19th century.

Today, the sign is one of the bridge’s most recognizable features, preserving a little piece of Vermont’s transportation history in a wonderfully entertaining way.

I love that it hasn’t been replaced with a modern warning. The original wording gives the bridge personality and offers a glimpse into what traveling Vermont’s back roads would have been like more than 150 years ago.

One of Southern Vermont’s Prettiest Red Covered Bridges

Even without its famous sign, the Chiselville Covered Bridge would be a favorite of mine.

The bridge stretches approximately 117 feet across the Roaring Branch, standing roughly 40 feet above the water below. Its brilliant red siding and green roof make it particularly photogenic, especially when surrounded by Vermont’s colorful fall foliage.

And unlike some covered bridges that sit close to the water, Chiselville’s height gives it a more dramatic setting.

I love photographing Vermont’s red covered bridges during winter and on gray, overcast days. The contrast between the red wood and the muted landscape can be even more striking than during peak foliage.

Chiselville is a wonderful example, with its historic wooden construction, beautiful setting and that fantastic sign above the entrance.

The bridge remains open to vehicle traffic, although it’s narrow and intended for one vehicle at a time. And yes, you should still slow down when crossing, even if the original one-dollar fine is no longer enforced.

A Little Hollywood History

Here’s another fun fact about the Chiselville Covered Bridge: it appeared in the 1987 movie Baby Boom, starring Diane Keaton.

The movie follows a successful New York businesswoman who moves to rural Vermont, where she adjusts to small-town life and eventually builds a business.

It’s a fun piece of Vermont movie history, particularly if you enjoy recognizing familiar locations in films. And the bridge makes a fitting backdrop for a movie about trading city life for the Green Mountain State.

Make It Part of a Southern Vermont Drive

Chiselville Covered Bridge is located along Sunderland Hill Road in Sunderland, just outside Arlington and a short drive from Manchester.

I’d recommend incorporating it into a leisurely afternoon exploring Southern Vermont, particularly during foliage season.

Manchester has plenty of restaurants, shops and attractions, including Hildene and the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Nearby Arlington is another beautiful town to explore, with scenic roads and historic buildings.

And if you enjoy photographing covered bridges, there are several others in Bennington County that you can visit during the same trip.

What to Know Before You Go

Location

Chiselville Covered Bridge, Sunderland Hill Road, Sunderland, Vermont.

Built

1870.

Length

Approximately 117 feet.

River

Roaring Branch of the Batten Kill.

Famous Sign

“One Dollar Fine For Driving Faster Than A Walk On This Bridge.”

Traffic

The bridge is open to vehicles and is narrow, so use caution when crossing or photographing it.

Parking

There is no dedicated visitor parking area. Only stop where it’s safe and legal, and don’t block the road or nearby driveways.

Best Time to Visit

Beautiful throughout the year, particularly during fall foliage, after a snowfall or on a gray day when the red exterior stands out.

Nearby Attractions

Manchester, Arlington, Hildene and the Southern Vermont Arts Center.

Vermont has more than 100 historic covered bridges, each with its own story, but Chiselville’s one-dollar warning is one of the details I find most entertaining.

It’s a reminder of an era when crossing a wooden bridge required a slower pace, and a single dollar was enough to encourage travelers to behave. And considering how beautiful the setting is, I don’t think anyone should be in much of a hurry to cross it anyway.