Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Parke Co #66 - Bridgeton (31/31)

The new Bridgeton Covered Bridge.  7/3/2009 dwm photo

In this on-going blog series on Covered Bridges - we've looked at Parke County bridges for a while - since Feb. 15, 2018.

The Bridgeton Covered Bridge is the last of the 31.

The original covered bridge was built in 1868.  It was restored in 1967, but burned to ashes in 2005.

This one replaced it in 2006.  That made sense since Covered Bridge tourism is central to the community of Bridgeton.

Notice the fisherman below the
bridge in Big Raccoon Creek.
7/3/2009 (dwm)

According to the Parke County guide, town history before the covered bridge was quite interesting.  It was a mill town, processing grain for farmers and the community.

All these years later, the original mill still runs, producing 20 specialty products for tourists and regular customers.  The mill runs on electricity instead of water power.

The dam built to power the mill is under the long covered bridge.  It is a beauty and a center-piece of bridge tourism.  The view of the stream from the bridge is amazing and the view of the bridge from the mill/store evokes years long past.

Flowers and benches
await guests. (dwm)

After the arson fire, the rebuilt bridge was dedicated for pedestrians.  That is the reason this bridge is much narrower, 13 feet, than other bridges.

On our visit, Bridgeton felt like the hub for bridge visits with others just a few miles away nestled along county roads in the hills and dales of Parke County.

While the original bridge was constructed by J.J. Daniels; Dan Collum and the community get the credit for the new one.

History repeats itself as Collum and his wife operate the only year-round store in Bridgeton.  Their construction company, two years later, built the bridge at the Indiana State Fair.

The view of Bridgeton Covered Bridge from the old mill.
7/3/2009  dwm photo

I doubt the Daniels and Britton families who built most of the county's bridges ever thought folks would travel far and wide to tour and photograph their bridges.

Thankfully, the people of Parke County recognized this resource before they were torn down and replaced with a modern bridges.

While vandals have erased a few, the value and heritage of these structures drive business to towns across Parke County through still passable bridges.

Parke County neighbors in Putnam County followed their lead - it is home to the second highest number of covered bridges in the Hoosier State with ten.  Come back next week to see their collection of covered bridges.

Parke County - home
to 31 Covered Bridges.
Internet image

Bridgeton Covered Bridge

Built: 1868, destroyed by arson in 2005 - rebuilt in 2006

Style: Burr Arch

Length: 245 feet over Big Raccoon Creek

The Covered Bridge Festival starts soon in Parke County, follow the link for more information.

You can visit the other 30 bridges in Parke County and other covered bridges by going to "My Covered Bridges" homepage.