Covered bridges capture the national imagination like few other historical artifacts. Perhaps it’s due to there being fewer than 1,000 left in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, or the degree of engineering prowess required in their design and construction. Covered bridges were built to protect the wooden structure from the weather.
While the concept had been around in Europe for a few centuries, most covered bridges in the United States were built from the 1820s through the 1880s. Soon afterward, they were superseded by metal bridges, which didn’t require protection from the elements.
Indiana is home to 98 covered bridges, nine of which are to be found on the Covered Bridge Loop, which winds through six counties. The circuit shows off some of the state’s best rolling countryside as well as the variety of approaches of the builders who created the structures.
The Brownsville Bridge in Mill Race Park in Columbus was built in 1840 by Adam Mason and was located on the state’s east side until it was moved to its present location in 1986. It’s now situated over the park’s lake. The Long-truss structure was featured in a key scene in the 2017 movie “Columbus.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
From there, one might head east to Decatur County to see the Westport Bridge near Greensburg. It was built in 1880 by A.M Kennedy & Sons, a firm well-known for its covered bridges. One of its distinguishing features is its windows, which run from end to end.
Cross into Jennings County and you’ll find the Scipio bridge, on that community’s north edge. It was built by a Toledo, Ohio, firm, the Smith Bridge Co., in 1886. It features a Howe-style truss. It is the way that County Road 575W crosses Sand Creek and accommodates one-lane vehicular traffic.
In Jennings County you’ll find another Howe-truss bridge, the James bridge, built in 1887 by Barron & Hole. It’s often referred to as the kissing bridge.
If you head west, your next stop on the loop will be the Shieldstown bridge, located in Hamilton Township in Jackson County. It has an interesting history. The multiple king post Burr Arch Truss bridge was built in 1876 by Joseph J. Daniels. It accommodated vehicular traffic for 104 years. It was only closed to the public for 35 years, until 2019, when after a four-year restoration effort, it was reopened as a tourist attraction.
If you proceed west on U.S. 50 through Brownstown, you’ll notice that western Jackson County sports majestic hills that loom in all directions. Take a left at State Road 235 and pass through the charming hamlet of Medora. One mile east, you’ll find the Medora bridge, also built by Joseph J. Daniels (in 1875). It still has its original truss and is the longest, historic covered bridge in the nation. It crosses the East Fork of the White River. On the west end, there is a small park with picnic tables.
Continue west, and you’ll come to the Williams bridge, on the western edge of Lawrence County. It’s another Joseph J. Daniels structure. It’s a pedestrian-traffic only bridge that spans the East Fork of the White River.
If you travel the Covered Bridge Loop in this order, your last stop will be the crown jewel of the hills of southern Indiana, Brown County, an inspiration to landscape artists since the 19th century. At the north entrance to Brown County State Park you’ll find the Ramp Creek bridge. It was built in 1838 by Henry Wolf, who was also responsible for many of the structures in Parke County, also known for its high concentration of covered bridges. The Ramp Creek bridge is open to vehicular traffic, and if time permits, you really should traverse it and check out the park, which contains some panoramic vistas that rival any in the nation.
Take State Road 135 into Nashville and head north to Bean Blossom, where you’ll take a left on the aptly named Covered Bridge Road and continue a short way to that village’s namesake bridge. It was built in 1880 by Capt. Joseph Balsey and is open to one-lane traffic.
It might be best to break your investigation of the loop into two days. If you decide to do so, you’ll find a bounty of hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfast establishments that put Hoosier hospitality on full display.
You’ll head home edified and charmed as only an immersion in the essence of Indiana can provide.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
To find a map of the loop and more information:
jacksoncountyin.com/portfolio-posts/indianas-covered-bridge-loop/
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
BROWNSVILLE COVERED BRIDGE
Bartholomew County
Directions: In Mill Race Park, Columbus. Park entrance is at Fifth and Lindsey streets. The bridge crosses part of the Driftwood River.
WESTPORT COVERED BRIDGE
Decatur County
Directions: Take East Main Street east out of Westport. The road becomes West County Road 1100S. Turn east on West Layton Drive. The bridge crosses Sand Creek.
SCIPIO COVERED BRIDGE
Jennings County
Directions: Take State Road 7 just north of Scipio and turn east on North County Road 575W. The bridge crosses Sand Creek.
JAMES COVERED BRIDGE
Jennings County
Directions: Take State Road 3 south of Lovett and turn east on West County Road 650S. The bridge crosses Graham Creek on County Road 625S.
SHIELDSTOWN COVERED BRIDGE
Jackson County
Directions: From U.S. 50 east of Brownstown, turn north onto East County Road 200N to Shieldstown. The bridge crosses East Fork of the White River.
MEDORA COVERED BRIDGE
Jackson County
Directions: Take State Road 235 east of Medora and turn north onto road leading to covered bridge.
WILLIAMS COVERED BRIDGE
Lawrence County
Directions: From State Road 450 west of Williams, turn south on Huron-Williams Road. The bridge crosses East Fork of the White River.
BEAN BLOSSOM COVERED BRIDGE
Brown County
Directions: South of the State Road 135 intersection with State Road 45 in Bean Blossom, turn west on Covered Bridge Road. The bridge crosses Bean Blossom Creek.
RAMP CREEK COVERED BRIDGE
Brown County
Directions: Take State 46 east of Nashville. The bridge is located at the North Gate entrance to Brown County State Park and crosses Salt Creek.
— Indiana Covered Bridge Loop Brochure
[sc:pullout-text-end]
