Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Parke Co. - #63 Bowsher Ford (28/31)

Bowsher Ford Bridge over Wabash Mill Creek
4/17/2010 dwm photo

We made two visits to the Bowsher Ford Covered Bridge - July 3, 2009 and April 17, 2010.

It may have been with an idea of making seasonal visits, but then pursuing all the bridges in the state became my goal.

The benefit of seasonal shots is getting different looks.  The one at right is early spring, before crops were bursting.  The bottom photo shows corn nearly blocking the view.

This was the first bridge I saw at a distance and could get the shot from across a field.  It seems like the look farmers had 100 years ago.

The Burr Arch Truss supports the
Bowsher Bridge. 4/17/2010 (dwm)

It was built in 1915 with a different name attached to it, Elmer Garrard.  The Parke County Guide mentions that Garrard got help from a bridge family.  Eugene Britton, J. A. 's son helped the process.

Whatever the connection, it worked, since it still stands 103 years later.

Soon to be hidden by crops, the landmark
announces the river. 7/3/2009 (dwm)

It is a pretty sight as it pops above the corn when taking the curve.

Like many of the bridges we've seen in this series, the bridge naming rights went to a neighbor.  The Bowsher family owned land around the ford.

While there is nothing particularly special about this bridge's history or location I have a soft-spot in my heart for it.  An affection born the moment I saw the view at right.

From a quarter-mile away, the bridge peeked at me from between the trees along the creek bed and above the corn.  I'm not sure I completely captured the spirit of the Bowsher Bridge, but from far and near it will always be one of the prettiest in Parke County.

Parke County
Internet Image

Bowsher Ford Covered Bridge

Built:  1915 by Elmer Garrard

Style:  Burr Arch

Length: 72 feet over Mill Creek - 2 miles northwest of Tangier

You can find more Parke County Covered Bridges and more, by following this link to My Covered Bridge Collection.