Bridges of Indiana's Counties - Wabash Co. - #89 North Manchester

A look at the North Manchester Covered Bridge from
the Eel River.  10/15/2011   dwm photo

Among the 104 covered bridges I've visited, I'm always excited to get close to the water for a look at the bridge.

The North Manchester Covered Bridge offered that opportunity when I visited in October of 2011.

Water is usually running low that time of year.  The gentle sloping bank got me to the water.  From there it was dry enough to venture on the shallow areas of the river.

The autumn leaves offered the foreground touch I like which adds depth in my photos.

South Mill Street crosses over the
river through the bridge.
10/15/11 (dwm)

A couple years after my visit, the Indiana Department of Transportation gave the bridge a make-over so it can continue to handle today's traffic.  INDOT mentions on its website that the North Manchester is the widest bridge used in Indiana.  If you go to their link you can see how the bridge was stripped down during the work.

The bridge is 18 feet wide with a walkway.

The 2013 work was the second full-scale rehabilitation with another just before the structure's 100th birthday.

The North Manchester bridge and the Roann (featured next Thursday 3/14/2019) are among very few in the north-east corner of the state.  Adams County isn't far away - it is home to the Ceylon bridge which was the first one on this blog series looking at all of Indiana's covered bridges.

Wabash County, IN
internet image

This bridge isn't attributed to a particular builder, like J.J. Daniels or A.M. Kennedy, the DOT credits the Smith Bridge Company for the construction.

The North Manchester Bridge is one of five with a Smith Type IV Truss.  Instead of an arch - support beams cross each other forming a string giant X's.

Other than the rehab projects - its been in constant use since the first horse and wagon clopped across the bridge deck.  Now that its been fortified, it should be around for years to come.

North Manchester Covered Bridge

Built: 1872 by the Smith Bridge Company

Style:  Smith Truss IV

Length: 150 feet long over the Eel River

We are almost finished with the bridges of Indiana's counties - come back next week for the 90th bridge or click here to see the rest plus bridges in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.