Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Howard Co. - #24 Vermont

Vermont Covered Bridge    (10/15/11  dwm)

In the end, water is the reason the Vermont Covered Bridge moved to Kokomo, Indiana.

When a new Kokomo reservoir was proposed in 1957, the president of the Howard County Historical Society suggested saving the bridge.

It was built in 1875 east of Kokomo in the town of Vermont.  A new wider, longer bridge replaced it on higher ground.  For $3,500 the county moved the bridge to the city's Highland Park where it still stands.

Unlike some bridges preserved in parks, this one at least crosses water.

Vehicles are not allowed, but it is open to pedestrian traffic and is in a beautiful setting.

Kokomo's website indicates this is the last remaining Smith Type #3 Truss Bridge left in Indiana.  The style describes the way support beams are placed around the bridge interior.

Highland Park, Kokomo Creek
11/25/17  dwm photo

It is difficult to describe, but it looks like beams in the shape of an X on either side with the X's stretching out toward the bridge center where a small gap exists.  The Type #4 cross the beams in an X shape, but it stays uniform the length of the bridge.

I'm no engineer, but Type #4 looks stronger.

The Vermont is Howard County's only surviving covered bridge, although there are several nearby.  Wabash, Carroll, and Grant Counties are home to five themselves.

This series has already featured the Carroll and Grant County bridges - catch up with them from the Covered Bridge blog page.

Howard County
Internet image

Bridge Facts:
Vermont Covered Bridge
Built:  1875
Length:  117 feet (now over Kokomo Creek)
Style:  Smith #3
Location: Highland Park, Kokomo, Indiana