Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Putnam Co. - #67 Cornstalk Covered Bridge

Cornstalk Covered Bridge, Putnam Co., IN
6/6/2010  dwm photo

Putnam County, Indiana -  immediately east of Parke County is second when it comes to the number of covered bridges still standing with nine.

I suspect a reason for that is recognizing the bridges attracted visitors and their cash.

My blogs for the Parke County bridges started with the oldest.  In Putnam County, it is alphabetical, beginning with Cornstalk.

J.A. Britton, the prolific builder, made this one in 1917.

It sits amidst the trees and wetlands over Cornstalk Creek.  The bridge and creek are named for Peter Cornstalk, who, according to countyhistory.com (which was shut down when I wrote this blog), was Chief of the Eel River Tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area.  A small community known as Cornstalk Village was a mile northeast of where the bridge was built.  The town is long gone now.

The bridge is surrounded by wetland
and abundant vegetation. 6/6/10 (dwm)

Lush green surrounding the bridge made it different than the other bridges I photographed.  It looks like it belongs in a rain forest instead of Indiana farm country.

Yet, in spite of its location - farmers and others who lived around these parts 100 years ago when the bridge was new - were more interested in getting from one place to another quicker than they did before it was built.

All these years later, the bridge is an oasis from the every day and a spot to stop between getting from here to there.

Cornstalk Bridge at top of map
Map from DiscoverPutnamcounty.com

Cornstalk Covered Bridge facts:

Built:  1917 by J.A. Britton

Style:  Burr Arch

Length: 82 feet over Cornstalk Creek

Catch up on previous Covered Bridge blogs at this landing page.