Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Putnam Co. - #73 Oakalla

Oakalla Covered Bridge  6/6/2010 dwm photo

The Oakalla Covered Bridge (#7 on the map below, just west of Greencastle) is another iconic Putnam County structure.

Named for the Oakalla train station (according to the littleindiana website) the bridge continues to serve while the train's echo is barely heard among the trees.

It's in a wide part of the valley where it crosses Big Walnut Creek surrounded by hills which give the area its charm.

The day of my visit there wasn't a whole lot of water in Big Walnut Creek.  A recent look at the bridge's Facebook page shows it looks like it did in 2010.

Looking south at the Oakalla
bridge. 6/6/2010 (dwm)

I'm sure bridge builder J.J. Daniels wouldn't have understood Facebook or how his bridge would communicate in the 21st century.

Even thirty years ago the idea of Facebook seemed like an idea from a Buck Rogers comic book.  Of course, thirty years ago not many people recognized who or what Buck Rodgers was.  (The comic strip ran from 1929 to 1967.)

The Oakalla bridge is just west of
Greencastle which is nearly in the map's
center.  (goputnamcounty.com)

Oakalla Covered Bridge Facts

Built: 1898 by J. J. Daniels

Style:  Covered Burr Arch Truss

Length:  One span 152 feet over Big Walnut Creek

Find more covered bridges in Indiana and other states by following the link.