Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Owen Co. - #34 Cataract Covered Bridge

Cataract Covered Bridge, Owen County
6/6/2010    dwm photo  

Owen County is home to just one bridge.  Because it is so close to Parke and Putnam counties which are home to dozens - the Cataract bridge is overlooked.

That's too bad, because it is a beautiful spot, part of the Lieber State Recreation Area with a lovely view and walk across the bridge and a close view of the water falls.  Cataract Falls are the largest in Indiana with Mill Creek dropping twice 18 feet or more.

Robert Reed wrote in his 2004 book, Indiana's Covered Bridges that the Cataract Bridge at one time was the most famous and photographed bridge in the country.

The upper Cataract Falls.
Lieber State Rec. Area  (dwm)

Nearly 100 years ago, Owen County was the center of the United States in terms of where people lived in the United States.  (There you go, you just learned another useless piece of information!)

Cataract is a lovely bridge, but I'll confess that the Falls got my camera's attention.

I spent time trying to find a way to include the falls and bridge in the same shot.  Eight years ago, drone technology wasn't available, so the extent of my effort was left to my discretion and desire to stay safe and dry.

The upper falls downstream from the bridge.
6/6/2010        dwm photo

The natural beauty and the state park make this one of the nicest bridges to visit.  If the rest of your group isn't as geeked up by bridges as you there is plenty more to do.

The upper and lower falls are hypnotic and beautiful and a great way to spend a day.  Bring a camera; a fishing pole; and hiking boots for a day with nature.

The covered bridge was closed to traffic in 1988 when a bypass bridge opened, but you can still walk or bike it.

This bridge is a Smith Type IV Truss, but in what as an innovation for the time - the contractor built much of it in the shop.  The pieces were marked for easy assembly and shipped to the build site.

Owen County
internet image

Cataract Covered Bridge
Built: 1876

Style:  Smith Type IV Truss

Length: 140 feet over Mill Creek

More covered bridges can be found here.