Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Spencer and Perry Counties - #84 Huffman's Mill

Burr Arch Truss on Huffman Mill Bridge.
6/25/2011 dwm photo

Huffman's Mill bridge joins Spencer and Perry counties where it spans the Anderson River.

It is the southernmost covered bridge still standing in Indiana and the only one claimed by two counties.

Huffman's Mill was an enterprise of the Huffman family, built in 1816.

The bridge's age is a bit confusing.  A sign on the bridge says 1863.  A family run web-page lists it as built in 1864, while two other sources indicate 1865 or maybe 1884.

The Anderson River divides Spencer and Perry Counties which both sit on the north shore of the Ohio River upstream from the Mississippi River.

The bridge is open to foot traffic.  6/25/2011 (dwm)

Which makes the entry I read on the Bridgehunter site about the Huffman's Mill very interesting.  Nancy Huffman writes that according to early mill records, Thomas Lincoln (Abraham's father) milled grain there.

In the early days, rafts floated flour down the river highway system as far as New Orleans.

Before the bridge crossed the river, getting to the mill ranged from an easy trip (at low water) to impossible (flood season), it is easy to conclude the bridge helped the Huffman family business.

The Anderson River. 6/25/11 (dwm)

The home still stands, rebuilt after a fire in 1937.  Pieces of the foundation and some pieces of the original wood dam can be seen when the river is low.

Spencer County, IN
Perry Co to its right.
Internet image

Thankfully the bridge named for the family still marks the spot.

Huffman's Mill Covered Bridge facts

Built: 1863 by William Washer

Style:  Burr Arch Truss

Length: 140 feet over the Anderson River

You can visit more covered bridges by following this link - come back next Thursday for another.