[2] It is downstream from a hydroelectric dam outlet to the river, and the prominence of waterfalls and rapids makes it a popular tourist route.

[4] The presence of a cover helps solve the problem of the wooden bridge floor gradually deteriorating due to the weather,[5] while its high crossing point above the river means it is less susceptible to erosion by spring freshets.

[6] According to Peter C. Vermilyea, author of Hidden History of Litchfield County, instead states it was built to transport iron ore during the American Revolutionary War.

Other constructions were likely to have continued, historian Shelley Wong writes, "The [current] bridge was one of several built across the gorge over the years as flooding and ice took their toll.

"[7] A local report suggested the bridge also served as a point of refuge, particularly for Connecticut's Blue Law offenders, where once on the left bank of the river, they could easily cross to the New York border.

According to a family legend, the road across the farm became an important highway once New York City was occupied by the British, so that Continental Army officers began to stop at “Madam Beach’s”, as her great barns gave "good shelter to the men", and officers were "sure of entertainment in the farm house”: the widow hosted General Washington on several visits, and he was said to have a high regard for the patriotic widow.

[13] In 1969, the last major alteration was the installation of large plate girders to support the weight of traffic, which were concealed from view with the addition of exterior sheathing.

Though the West Cornwall Covered Bridge was constructed with a Town lattice, the design was reinforced and altered to give it a unique appearance, though it also has two uneven length spans and a gable roof.

[16] The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which stated that, "No effort should be spared to assure its preservation for the indefinite future, especially as it is not simply a museum piece but is daily serving a considerable volume of traffic on a route that, if eliminated, would compel a lengthy and inconvenient detour northward or southward to reach the destinations served by this road.