Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Fountain Co. - #13 Wallace

Wallace Covered Bridge
Fountain County, IN  (dwm photo)

The photo (left) of the Wallace Covered Bridge over Sugar Mill Creek is one of my favorites.

The creek swept from right to left before flowing under the old structure, providing a perfect view.  The autumn sun shined at me through branches of a tree which has seen only a couple decades of this bridge's history.

A lane of grass approaches the bridge on both sides.

At the time of my visit, it had sat there so many years it looked more like a piece of art than a way to cross a babbling brook.

The town of Wallace and the bridge are named for Indiana Governor David Wallace who was in office when a Post Office opened there between 1837 and 1841.

The bridge came along 30 years later.

Sugar Mill Creek & Wallace bridge
(dwm)

It still stands thanks to cross-beams bolted into place inside the bridge box in a giant X.

The southeast corner of Fountain County is a quiet rural area.

Wallace Bridge became part of the landscape 146 years ago.  At the time, it was probably a time-saving marvel for farmers and families.

Wallace Bridge 10/29/2011 (dwm)

Now it's a marvel as it defies time.

It endures, like the Cades Mill and Rob Roy bridges, as a reminder when 70 miles an hour down the interstate can feel like a plodding pace, that staying dry while crossing water with dry feet was pretty good technology, too.

Fountain Co, IN
internet image

Long may it stand.

Bridge Facts:
Wallace Covered Bridge
Built:  1871
Style: Howe Truss
Length: 81 feet over Sugar Mill Creek

See other Covered Bridges by visiting the home page.