Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Parke Co. #37 Jackson (3/31)

Jackson Covered Bridge is named for President Jackson.
4/2010    dwm photo

Writing about bridges I visited nearly nine years ago is interesting because I'm learning more as I write.

This week's bridge made a political statement when it was built.

Parke County's bridge website credits the builder for naming it in honor of President Andrew Jackson for declaring, "The Federal Union: It must be preserved."

Consider the bridge was built in 1861, and the sentiment is clearly Union.

Jackson is a beautiful bridge.  Restored in 1977, it is a showpiece.

Crossing the bridge.    7/2009   dwm photo

I made two visits to the Jackson bridge.  The first time in July, 2009 and again the next spring.

It is the fifth oldest of Indiana's covered bridges and the longest single span bridge.

Look at the top photo and you see the bridge extend from one bank to the other, a single span.

The longest bridge, Medora, has three.

Jackson was built through subscriptions.

After county commissioners approved spending $8,000, it was up to area residents to come up with the cash.  Before the bridge farmers were forced to cross the creek by fording across horses, wagons, and goods - they found the money to get it done, with farmers and merchants signing up to cover extra costs.

Paddling below the bridge.
7/2009   dwm photo

Like other bridges, the Jackson bridge was a commercial hub.  Its forgotten town of Rockport had a mill, general store, cooper shop (barrel making), blacksmith, two saw mills, four homes, and an iron smelter.

The dam for the mill washed out in 1882 and the mill was destroyed in 1894, effectively ending Rockport's boom-town run with an explosion of its own.

Today, the Jackson Bridge is the oldest of the J.J. Daniel bridge still standing.

Because of its size and location - Jackson gets lots of visitors ready to drive over or float under.

It's a nice one to photograph.  The beaches upstream and down offer good views of the bridge from water level and the high bank offers dramatic views of the long bridge.

Parke County
internet image

Jackson Covered Bridge

Built:  1861

Style:  Burr Arch by J.J. Daniels

Length: 207 feet over Sugar Creek - longest single span in the state.

Find more covered bridges, follow the link.