Toll Tales from the Covered Bridge
Step back in time to 1901, when crossing the Hartland Covered Bridge came at a price—literally! Originally, this iconic bridge was a toll bridge, and the rates might surprise you: 3¢ per person each way, 6¢ for a single rig carrying up to two people, and 12¢ for a double team with more than three people onboard. For livestock, it was ½¢ per head for sheep and 3¢ for cattle! Frequent travelers even enjoyed a 16 2/3% discount with the purchase of 25 tickets.
There was also a strict rule: any person or animal moving faster than a walk could be fined. The law read that “no person shall ride or drive any horse or vehicle … at a rate faster than a walk, under a penalty …” and warning signs at the bridge entrances informed travelers to cross at walking speed or face a fine, recorded at $20 in those days. Since the bridge was not fastened to its piers, the rule was a matter of safety—vibrations from running or trotting could dislodge it.
Where there are tolls, there must be a tollgate keeper, of course. To accommodate them, the Bridge Company built a little privy (yes, an outhouse!) directly on the bridge between Piers 1 and 2. Imagine the views! Though perhaps not the safest or most environmentally friendly setup, it certainly stands as a unique piece of bridge history.
Tolls came to an end in 1906, when the provincial government purchased the bridge. During the local election, candidates had promised “toll-free” passage for the community, and when the new government took office, the toll‑gate keeper simply stopped showing up—quietly ending toll collection and opening the bridge to everyone.
Looking at photos of this precariously placed structure, we can see just how much has changed over the years in both worker safety and environmental practices.