The Catskill Chronicle

CLARYVILLE, NY (January 16, 2012) – The Halls Mills Covered Bridge, completed in 1912, sits beside County Route 19 and spans the main stem of the Neversink River in Claryville, NY.

As one of the state’s 21  remaining covered bridges, it has stood for 100 years. Though retired from use in the late 1950s, it stands in quiet beauty, a stunning part of the region’s history.

When Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee passed through in August 2011, high waters and large trees passed downriver, severely damaging one of the original stone abutments. What remains must hold the weight of the 90-ton bridge through the winter.

The New York State Covered Bridge Society has begun a tax deductible 501(c)3 account to fund restoration work on Halls Mills Covered Bridge.

To aid in the efforts to Save The Halls Mills Bridge, the River Bag was recently produced by Sullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District.

It’s big enough to carry everything you need for your next outing to river or reservoir, toting your fishing gear, towels and good-sized picnic while helping a worthy community cause. The cost of the bag is $20, with $10 of that going directly to The New York State Covered Bridge Society.

Pictured with the new bag are Ed Mues of Sundown and Carol Smythe of Grahamsville, both members of the Rondout Neversink Stream Program’s Education Committee.

The Rondout Neversink Stream Program, based in Grahamsville, is a project of Sullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District funded by New York City DEP. to provide the community with technical assistance and education for long-term stewardship and water quality protection on the Chestnut, Rondout and Neversink Rivers.

For more information on how you can help save this historic treasure, e-mail savehallsmills@gmail.com.

Photos of the bridge can be viewed at http://www.coveredbridgesite.com/ny/halls_mills.html

River Bags are currently available at Neversink Town Hall, with plans to expand offerings to other locations upon request by calling Karen Rauter at 985-2581 or by e-mailing krauter@rondoutneversink.org.