Saturday morning with the road quiet, I eased my 9'6" Sprinter van through the Dunbar Bridge…read morewithout any trouble, even with its posted 10-foot clearance. The bridge's own marker credits J.J. Daniels as the builder, which fits neatly with his late-career work across Indiana. Completed in 1880, Dunbar is a classic Burr-Arch truss covered bridge built to give farms northwest of Greencastle a dependable crossing over Big Walnut Creek. Daniels' craftmanship shows in the tight timber joinery, the cut-stone abutments, and the practical ventilation openings along the 175-foot-long siding that keep the interior bright without compromising the structure. What makes Dunbar stand out today is that it's still open to traffic, unlike many historic covered bridges that have been bypassed or closed. Putnam County has kept it in service through periodic repairs and its location on a lightly traveled rural road helps preserve the structure without overwhelming it. Driving through instead of detouring felt like stepping briefly into the 19th century. It's a functional piece of Daniels' work still doing exactly what it was built to do. [Review 1039 of 2026 - 243 in Indiana - 26218 overall]

The Dunbar Covered Bridge is a historic covered bridge crossing Big Walnut Creek and is still…read moreopened to traffic in Putnam County. We drove and walked across the bridge. The bridge was built by J. J. Daniels in 1880 and is a two span Burr Arch Truss construction. The bridge is 175 feet across and stands on stone abutments. J. J. Daniels was a famous covered bridge builder who built most of the surviving covered bridges in Putnam County. The bridge has several long windows to view the creek and is open along the roof line, bringing in light. Putnam County does a good job of maintaining and removing graffiti from the bridge. There is no parking area, but we found a spot to pullover north of the bridge. I love these old charming bridges. This bridge is worthy of a visit if you like history and architecture.

Crossing Indiana from east to west on this trip, it turns out that the Houck Covered Bridge is the…read morelast one I will visit on this trip. It's not my favorite - that honor goes to the Dunbar Bridge that is still open to traffic and I could drive through - but this is still a fabulous bridge with a long, well-documented history. The Houck Covered Bridge was built in 1880 by the Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon Ohio. It uses a two-span Howe truss design, a system patented in 1840 that combined timber with adjustable iron rods for greater strength. The bridge originally carried County Road 550 South over Big Walnut Creek in Washington Township near Manhattan, resting on cut-limestone abutments and a central pier nearly 13 feet tall. Traffic declined after improved routes through nearby Hamrick Station were built in the 1930s and in 2014 Putnam County officials officially bypassed the bridge and restored it to pedestrian-only use. Houck gained formal recognition when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024, part of a county-wide nomination covering all surviving covered bridges. The bridge might not be drivable any longer but it is still a beautifully preserved example of 19th-century engineering and a fitting final stop on a westbound covered-bridge tour. [Review 1043 of 2026 - 247 in Indiana - 26222 overall]

Houck Covered Bridge is a historic bridge constructed in 1880. The bridge crosses Big Walnut Creek…read moreand is no longer open to traffic, but can be walked across by pedestrians. The Howe Truss design was built by the Massillon Bridge Company of Ohio. The bridge is 210 feet long and sits on stone abutments and a pier. The Houck Covered Bridge is longest of three covered bridges over the Big Walnut Creek that we visited in Putnam County. The Putnam County Visitors Center provides free maps of the Counties nine covered bridges. I walked the length of the covered bridge and took photos. The Houck Covered Bridge was bypassed in 2014 for a new bridge, but is fortunately maintained for historical purposes. The bridge was named after the Houck family who owned the nearby property when it was built. The bridge was also referred to as the Hamrick Bridge after the Hamrick RR Station, a proposed Pennsylvania RR Station. Parking is available for four cars at the west side of the bridge. There are no other amenities at the site, except a good fishing hole.

This 104 foot span was constructed in 1876 to bridge Little Raccoon Creek, near Possum Bottom. It…read morewas moved in 1972/73 to its current location in the Ernie Pyle rest area on US 36 between Dana and Rockville. It is one of 4 surviving covered bridges in Vermillion County. There are restrooms here, but they are of the pit variety, and need some work. The bridge itself is in good shape, and open to pedestrians year around.

The thing about covered bridges is that most were not named or dedicated with specific names when…read morethey opened in the 1850-1890's. So it isn't than unusual when a bridge has more than one name. Such is the case of this relocated bridge that sits along US 36 east of Dana, Indiana. Known as both Possum Bottom and as Hillsdale, the covered bridge has been preserved and now rests over a small runoff area...no creek around. The covered bridge was built in 1876 and totals 124 feet in length. The longest span is 104 feet. The bridge is in good condition, but lacks the charm of those that span water and have windows to look out. Still, it is looking good for being over 140 years old. Review #2832

I'm on a quest to visit all the covered bridges in Indiana. Covered bridges connect us with the…read morepast. The Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge was built by the famous Indiana bridge builder, J. A. Britton in 1899. The Burr Arch bridge originally crossed Leatherwood Creek at Leatherwood Station, Indiana. The bridge was moved to Billie Creek Village, where it stands today and is open to traffic (sometimes). I've walked across several of Britton's bridges now, and they seem familiar to me. Britton built approximately 40 bridges in Indiana during his lifetime. This 72' bridge is in exceptional condition. The bridge is part of the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival, but I prefer to visit off season to avoid the crowds. There is free parking at Billie Creek Village. There are three covered bridges at the site, each with its own story. Interesting side fact, leatherwood is a tree with a pliable bark that was used by indigenous people and early settlers to make rope and other useful materials. I assume that there are leatherwood trees along Leatherwood Creek.

This is one of three covered bridges inside Billie Creek Village. J.A. Britton put up this Single…read moreSpan Burr Arch Truss design in 1899 to span Leatherwood Creek at the Leatherwood train station. The bridge was moved to its current location over Williams Creek in 1981. Also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, this is #25 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map.

In 1906, J. Larence Van Fossen put up this Single Span Double Burr Arch Truss bridge to carry…read moreCounty Road 550E across Big Raccoon Creek. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, all approaches to this bridge are via gravel surfaces. The bridge is still in use, and can be reached from US59 via County Road 720S, or from the Mansfield-Bridgeton road via Mace road.

Amidst corn fields, the Conley's Ford Covered Bridge once shepherded travelers over Big Raccoon…read moreCreek since 1906. But today, I was sad to find the historic bridge standing lonely, barricaded and closed to all traffic, including foot traffic. Extensive damage to the west wall of the bridge was evident. The road was blocked to the bridge, so we parked and walked the 0.2 mile to the bridge. Trees were down near the bridge and the ground was muddy. The bridge was built by J. Lawrence Van Fossen in 1906. The 192' bridge is designed with a double Burr Arch truss. The bridge is unusual in that it is constructed of white pine verses poplar. I'm not sure if there are plans to repair the bridge, but she certainly needs some love.

This is one of the more remote of the 31 surviving covered bridges in Parke County. It was…read moreconstructed by Joseph A. Britton in 1908 (one of his 12 surviving bridges in the county) to span Rock Run creek. It is a wonderful example of the Single Span Burr Arch Truss design, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It is on Tick Ridge Road, just to the east of its terminus at 325W road. The well maintained gravel roads offer three different approaches to the bridge. We filmed it about a week after peak fall foliage, when a sea of fallen leaves and the fading color on the surrounding trees accentuated its beauty while allowing unobstructed photo possibilities. Late fall and winter are ideal for photographing the bridges of Parke County. #20 on the Parke County Covered Bridge map.

Just a few miles off the Red Route for touring Parke County Covered Bridges is the Zacke Cox…read moreCovered Bridge south of Mecca, IN. The Burr arch-truss style bridge was built in 1908 and restored in 1991 and again in 2002, so it is in good shape. The bridge is still in service though traffic is told to greatly reduce speeds to a walking pace to cross the span. The red and white bridge with black lettering has a total length of a tiny 53 feet with a span of around 51 feet which crosses the Rock Run. To find this bridge, take US 41 west of Rockville just passed Mecca Road to CR 325W (4.3 miles). Head south for 2.5 miles to reach Tickridge Road. Head east one half mile to reach the bridge. Note that Tickridge is a gravel road. Also of interest is that this bridge is just a miles away from Harry Evans Covered Bridge and Roseville Covered Bridge. Both are farther south on CR 325W which becomes a gravel road until it reaches Coxville, IN. Review #3204

This Single Span Burr Arch Truss bridge was constructed in 1920 by Joseph A. Britton and his son…read moreEugene. It carries County Road 130E across Little Raccoon Creek. Still in use, the bridge is best approached by turning south from the Rockville-Bridgeton road on CR 130E, which is paved on the northern end. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, this is #14 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map. Here you can walk under the bridge and examine the structure in detail, although it does take a bit of effort to get up and down the embankments to the stream bed.

If you are a bit of an adventurer, then venture off the planned trails of Parke County (the red and…read moreblack trails come closest) to find this newer addition to the covered bridges. Built in 1920, this is another Burr arch-truss structure over the often crossed Little Raccoon Creek. The bridge covers a span of about 152 feet with an overall length of 169 feet which makes it a middle sized bridge for the state. The bridge has the standard red and white coloring with black lettering on the exterior. No windows are located inside this active bridge though there is venting along the top of the side walls. Because there is no parking here and the bridge is active, it is tough to get out and walk around the bridge without putting yourself and your vehicle at risk of oncoming traffic. Fortunately, if you are paying attention, there are long sight lines in both directions. The easiest way to get here is still going to require travel over unpaved/gravel roads. From Bridgeton Road, take CR 600S (2.5 miles from Bridgeton, nearly 8 miles from Rockville). Head west about 1.5 miles to CR 130E. Turn north and follow about 1000 feet to the bridge. You will have to drive to the next crossroad to turn around or you can continue north to CR 400S and head east back to Bridgeton Road. Review #1373

Situated about half a mile north of Coxville on County Road 325W (gravel), this Single Span Double…read moreBurr Arch Truss structure was built by Joseph A. Britton in 1908 to span Rock Run Creek. The bridge is still in use, although it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. #19 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map, it is but one of the twelve covered bridges that Britton put up in this county.

Just a few miles off the Red Route for touring Parke County Covered Bridges is the Harry Evans…read moreCovered Bridge between Mecca and Coxville, IN. The Burr arch-truss style bridge was built in 1908 and restored in 1977, so it is in pretty good shape. The bridge is still in service though traffic is told to greatly reduce speeds to a walking pace to cross the span. The red and white bridge with black lettering has a total length of a modest 81 feet with a span of around 61 feet which crosses the Rock Run. To find this bridge, take US 41 west of Rockville just passed Mecca Road to CR 325W (4.3 miles). Head south for 5 miles to reach the bridge. Much of this is gravel road. Also of interest is that this bridge is only 0.8 miles away from Roseville Covered Bridge which is also on CR 325W to the south. Zacke Cox Covered Bridge is fairly close to the north along CR 325W, half a mile east on Tickridge Road. If you are coming from Rosedale, take Main Street/Coxville Road north 2.25 miles to Coxville and CR 325W. Head east/north for about 1 mile on CR 325W. Review #3203