Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Putnam Co. - #68 Dick Huffman

Looking out the Dick Huffman Covered Bridge. 6/6/2010
dwm photo

The Dick Huffman Bridge is the south Putnam County (lower left in map, below).

It was built in 1880 and known as Webster's Ford Covered Bridge.  The name apparently changed when the Huffman family bought the adjacent land.

That is all I found about its history, otherwise, this bridge is another worker bee structure getting the job done for 138 years.

Unlike the bridges we've looked at over the last several months, this is a Howe Truss Bridge.  The longest one in Indiana.

The Huffman Bridge is the longest
Howe Truss Bridge in Indiana.
6/6/2010 dwm photo

Instead of an arch, the truss uses posts in the shape of an "X" down each side of the bridge with metal posts on either side of where the lumber crosses.  It was the first truss patent to use metal.

The Big Walnut River flows under
Dick Huffman. 6/6/10 (dwm)

The two - span Dick Huffman Covered Bridge crosses a river and wetlands.

Like the area surrounding the bridge, it is alive in trees and ground cover.

The bridge lists slightly to the right, but it continues to stand, so I guess it isn't a problem.

Putnam County Bridges -
the Huffman Bridge
is in the lower left corner.
www.discoverputnamcounty.com 

I hope it stands for years to come.

Dick Huffman Covered Bridge facts:

Built: 1880

Style:  Howe

Length:  265 feet in two spans over Big Walnut River

This is a great time of year to visit the covered bridges in Indiana.

You can see more of them by following this link.