Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Parke Co. - #41 Narrows (7/31)

The Narrows Bridge connects the two sides of
Sugar Creek in what is now Turkey Run State Park.
July, 2009  dwm photo

Covered Bridges are romantic, sometimes in a melancholy way.

J.A. Britton, who completed the Narrows crossing in 1882, lost his first wife while working on the bridge over Sugar Creek.

However, he met his second wife while completing it.  She lived on a nearby farm.

Britton, according to the Parke County Bridge guide, won the contract to replace an earlier bridge because his covered bridge was much cheaper than new iron bridges.

While old iron bridges can be pretty and historic, I doubt many people would drive to see this bridge without a roof.

Bypassed in 1960 and rebuilt in 1977
it still spans Sugar Creek.
7/2009   dwm photo

If you've been following this covered bridge blog series, you may recall the roof wasn't included to shelter travelers or vehicles, but save the wood bridge deck.

The Burr Arch Truss (see the arch in the below photo) distributes the weight over the length of each span.  While bridge builders were not architects, they understood physics and observed enough failed bridges to pay heed.

While modern bridges don't use a burr arch truss anymore, look at the bridges around you and look for an arch.  It is a time-tested design.

The Burr Arch truss runs the length of the bridge on
either side.   7/2009  dwm photo

The Narrows bridge, on the edge of Turkey Run State Park, is a frequent subject of photographers who take advantage of the many view points.

The day of my visit, there was a group of guys floating below the bridge.

Because it is in a state park, there are several hiking paths offering camera angles from below the bridge.

Since I was trying to capture a bunch of bridges that day, I didn't get down any of the trails.  If I get back there, I plan to do that.

Parke County, IN
internet image

Narrows is the seventh oldest covered bridge still standing in Parke County.

The cautionary words over the tunnel entry were added years later, to advise recent drivers of horses or cars to slow down to care for themselves and the bridge.

Narrows Covered Bridge Facts

Built: 1882 by Joseph A. Britton
Style:  Burr Arch Truss
Length: 121 feet over Sugar Creek on the east boundary of Turkey Run State Park