Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Parke Co. - # 60 Cox Ford (25/31)

The Cox Ford Covered Bridge is a popular spot with
visitors. 7/3/2009 dwm photo

There was no Turkey Run State Park in 1913.

It was the year a flood washed out three bridges including a modern iron bridge over a shallow section of Sugar Creek.

After deciding against a covered bridge in favor of the more expensive iron in 1896, this time county commissioners went with tried and true.

The builder, J.A. Britton used the original foundations of the iron bridge and raised it five feet.

He also re-used wood from a destroyed bridge.

Summer fun on Sugar Creek.
7/3/2009 (dwm)

Maybe most amazing is the replacement bridge was in place during the same year as the flood.

Just east of the Cox Ford bridge lies most of the state park, but the creek carries tubers and kayaks underneath who start their trip upstream.

It's always been big for recreation.  A story in the Parke County Guide indicates a couple impromptu fishermen wrestled a 47 - pound catfish out of the water beneath the bridge.

They were pretty excited until they learned fish much bigger than their whopper were landed regularly.

The Cox Ford bridge still carries
traffic.  7/3/09 (dwm)

Now the bridge is a great backdrop for pictures from the river and a conversation starter for pleasure-seekers floating merrily down the stream.

Other than the flood and some spectacular fish, it's been a working life for this bridge.  Enough work the county replaced the bridge deck in 1975, extending its life past the century mark.

Parke Co, IN
internet image

The Narrows Bridge stands on the other side of the popular park.  It was built in 1882.

Cox Ford Covered Bridge Facts

Built: 1913 by J.A. Britton

Style: Burr Arch

Length:  176 feet over Sugar Creek

The Covered Bridge Festival is three months away - make your plans! You can see more of my covered bridges if you follow this link.