Story written by Katie Rauch
(SOUTHEAST INDIANA) – In the early 1830s, the construction of a unique piece of travel
history began. The first covered bridge completed in the state of Indiana was in Henry County in 1835.
Bridges of that time were constructed with timber so there was a need to cover them in order to protect the bridge from the elements. Covered bridges were frequently used for revival
meetings, weddings, and political rallies as they were often the largest covered area in a
community.
It is estimated that, at one point in Indiana’s history, 400 to 500 covered bridges may have
existed across the entire state.
In 1930, the Indiana Historical Society formed the Covered Bridge Committee to help distribute information about covered bridges and their builders. Their hope was that the information would raise public awareness in order to help preserve these historic pieces of engineering.
Despite best efforts, by 1998 only 93 covered bridges remained in the Hoosier state. Many
bridges had fallen victim to weather damage, vandalism, car accidents or insufficient funds to
continue to maintain their upkeep.
Our Southeastern Indiana area is fortunate to still have 20 of these amazing pieces of history.
Please use the list provided on this page to visit all 20 as you enjoy fall drives throughout our
beautiful area.
Offutt’s Ford Covered Bridge (Rushville)
Norris Ford Covered Bridge (Rushville)
Smith Covered Bridge (Rushville)
Homer Covered Bridge (Rushville)
Forsythe Mill Covered Bridge (Rushville)
Moscow Covered Bridge (Milroy)
Longwood Covered Bridge (Connersville)
Stockheughter Covered Bridge (Enochsburg)
Seal Barn Covered Bridge (Cedar Grove)
Snow Hill Covered Bridge (West Harrision)
Guilford Covered Bridge (Guilford)
Busching Covered Bridge (Versailles)
Otter Creek Covered Bridge (Holton)
Westport Covered Bridge (Westport)
Scipio Covered Bridge (Scipio)
James Covered Bridge (Commiskey)
New Brownsville Covered Bridge (Columbus)
Bean Blossom Covered Bridge (Nashville)
Ramp Creek Covered Bridge (Nashville)
Medora Covered Bridge (Vallonia)
For more information about the society or to get involved, contact: Indiana Covered Bridge
Society Inc., 725 Sanders Street in Indianapolis.
This story originally appeared in the September issue of The 812 Magazine. You can subscribe here.
Here are some photos of covered bridges here in Southeast Indiana:
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