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

We had a heck of a time finding this little covered bridge. We drove around in circles before we…read moreasked someone at the campground. The Catlin Bridge is located near the southside of a golf course. There is parking and we walked down to see the bridge. It was a beautiful day and people were playing golf so I had to dodge a few balls. The Parke County Covered Bridge map and sign at the site told us that the 54' bridge was built in 1907 by Clark McDaniel and relocated to the golf course in 1961. The Burr Arch bridge is lovely but showing signs of age. It looks like the creek that may run under the bridge is dry. We talked to the manager of the golf course and he recommended a couple of his favorite spots in Parke County to visit and we did. (I love Midwest hospitality.)

This Single Span Burr Arch Truss was put up by Clark McDaniel in 1907 to carry the…read moreRockville-Rosedale Road across Sunderland Creek north of Catlin. In 1961, it was moved to the Rockville Golf Course, where it now crosses Bill Diddle Creek. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, it is #13 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map. It can be viewed from the north end of the club's parking lot.

I made the mistake of planning a visit to the Parke County Courthouse on the first day of the…read moreCovered Bridge Festival. There were crowds of people and tents were erected around the Square. But, there was an upside. The building was almost empty with no court and a clerk was there to let me into the courtroom. And the courtroom, THAT COURTROOM was magnificent with all original with late 1800's decor and furnishings. And it was immaculate as if it was cherished by the community. Original oak chairs, witness stand, judges bench and jury box stood as they have for over 140 years. The Second Empire/Mansard style courthouse was dedicated in 1881. The structure was designed by T. J. Tolan & Son, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The limestone building is ornate with columns, a balcony and clock tower. I entered through the basement which was filled with stacks of ancient surveyors books. The main level was dark with sparse lighting. Except for the courtroom, the interior is modest. Plaques honoring War heroes hung on the wall and a plaque indicated that the building was renovated 2001-2002. The standout features to me were the incredibly tall windows with original dark woodwork. There is a very old mural of President Lincoln at the top of the steps. The clerk that opened the courtroom was friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend a visit if you like architecture, history government or just being a Hoosier. Take a step back in time. There is parking around the Square. The original jail is now a bed and breakfast.

One of the most magnificent county courthouses I've seen, this could easily be a Capitol building…read moreif it were in Indianapolis! Parke County was formed in 1821 from land cut from Vigo County. The county seat is Rockville. Replacing an earlier two-story brick courthouse that had been built in 1832 (that itself was a replacement for a log courthouse), a new courthouse was designed by architects T.J. Nolan and his son Brentwood. This design incorporates Beaux Arts features with Second Empire design elements. The first floor features segmental-arched windows and the second story is more conventional arches with dormer windows. The building is topped with a three-story clock tower that has a dome of stone and iron. The interior is flush with fabulous doorways and a marble staircase. The Tolans also designed the Kosciusko County Courthouse in Warsaw, Delaware County Courthouse in Muncie and Whitley County's in Columbia City. [Review 1294 of 2024 - 171 in Indiana - 22317 overall]

Another of the many covered bridges in this town! You can get to this bridge off of US 41.read more

Constructed in 1906 and rebuilt in 1991, this Single Span Burr Arch Truss bridge is one of three…read morecovered bridges built by William Hendricks in Parke County. It takes the gravel surface of Cox Ford Road across Sugar Mill Creek. The bridge is easily accessible from US 41. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This is #35 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map.

Bypassed in 1987, this Single Span Burr Arch Truss was built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1900 to carry…read moreGreencastle Road (County Road 720) over Big Rocky Creek. Access is easy and fully paved; the bridge sits about two miles east of US59 outside Mansfield. One of nine covered bridges that Daniels put up in Parke County, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978; it is #6 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map.

One of the shorter covered bridges of Parke County can be found to the southeast of Rockville near…read morethe town of Mansfield. This classic Red and white covered bridge was originally built in 1900 (one of the newer bridges in the county!) The bridge is 88' in total length and spans 72 feet. This Burr Arch-truss style bridge is now open to pedestrian traffic only. The road bypassed this bridge in 1988, ten years after it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you are following the Parke County road map, this bridge is on the Black Trail to the south east of the Mansfield Bridge. From there, take CR145 east to 775E, then south to 720S, then east to the bridge. Note that on the east side of the bridge is a pull off area that you can safely use for parking. If you are coming from the south (Brazil), then take CR 59 north (4.5 mi.) to 720S (CR 22), then east to the bridge (less than 2 mi). The road is paved, but speed is limited to the frequent twists and turns and overall road conditions. Review #3154

I think most drivers aren't aware of the number of bridges they cross but they would sure be aware…read moreof them if they were missing. Imagine the hassle of trying to drive your vehicle over some stream or creek instead of zipping on by at 40 or more miles per hour. This is one such bridge and if it wasn't for the sign, I wouldn't have been aware of the historic nature. National Road and this bridge were here before US-40 was built nearby and of course, I-70 passes by a few miles away. So think back in time and here we are. The marker reads, "This Bridge was completed by Army Engineers sometime between 1834 and 1837 as part of the Old National Road, between Cumberland, Maryland and Vandalia, Illinois, was authorized by the enabling act of 1803 and was the Nation's first federally financed highway. The Bridge is a prime example of the Stone-building art and early American Engineering. Stones were precisely cut and fitted together without bond or mortar. Many stone arch bridges were built along the Cumberland Road, but this was the only one is still in use at the time of the marker dedication." The marker was erected in 1976 by the Clark County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.. There is not room to pull over on the bridge but there is a nearby crossroad where you can stop and see the bridge from the side. It's an impressive structure especially considering that it is over 150 years old and in constant daily use. [Review 19671 overall - 126 in Illinois - 643 of 2023.]

Reviewing historical structures like this can be difficult, but for any Historic National Road…read moreenthusiast - it's a must-do! If you are heading west out of town, be sure to check out the Old Stone Arch Bridge. No, you can't pull over and look but you can turn left on Oak Crest Road and pull off there. That way, you get a nice view of the bridge. If you want to read the historical marker, then you gotta walk up a-ways. By the way, did you know Abraham Lincoln went across this bridge many times during his lawyer days?

Cunningham Memorial Library is one of my favorite locations on campus. My first visit was in 1985,…read morea nostalgic imprint that remains with me to this day. There are lots of stacks and study spots, even a cafe in the entryway. I didn't spend nearly enough time here as a student, but I still appreciate this concrete behemoth! The card catalogue is gone but plenty of old school history remains in the stacks and the archives. My visit on this day was for historical research on student organizations and ISU presidential papers. The special collections team were most helpful in identifying relevant holdings and giving me access to review documents related to my topic. Advance notice is needed due to storage location of the archives. Legacy materials are held in a different location on campus, thus staff need time for document retrieval.

I am an author. My name is Linda Bates. One of my book is a fiction book called Alisa's New Life…read more It is about a young girl, her three younger brothers, and one older sister. They encounter a change when their alcoholic father Walt Preston has a wreck and is arrested. When her mother dies they are adoped by a local teacher in the town of Terre Haute, Indiana. Alisa, Gilbert Goodnill and Jason Johnson spend the next few years in one adventure after another, dates,, proms, and hanging out. Alisa keeps a journal of her new adventures, and writes her feelings and of her events to her mother while over coming the grief she holds within of her mothers passing. I am in the process of publishing another fiction book called 'Nick Bradford's Ghostly Clients. He is a ghost helper in a small town in the midwest, helping ghost to cross over. He and his good buddy Jerome encounter many adventures. His neighbor Elda Ramon is also a ghost helper. Nick encounters adventures of 13 ghosts that during the story approach him desperatel for help. Nick is a 17 year old boy in his senior year of school. Elda takes him under her wing and teaches him all she knows about helping ghost to cross over. Nick and his girlfriend Clarissa become close and introduce Jerome to a wonderful girl. The four teens bond through the vast ghostly adventures.

After reading my pal Bruce K's review, I'm almost convinced this is not the world's largest gavel -…read morewell, maybe the world's largest wooden one. But who knows; I'll read up on it later. As part of the City of Casey's "large things" promotion, they decided to spread the love of large to their county seat's court house. The court house does have a lot of history, especially Abraham Lincoln-related. There is a quote attributed to Lincoln under the gavel. If you're cruising through Marshall and/or the Historic National Road, don't miss out on this!

Lest I get smacked by the actual World's Largest Gavel (that appears to be in Columbus OH), this…read moreone is perhaps the World's Largest WOODEN Gavel and it is in the entranceway to the Clark County Courthouse in Marshall, Illinois. The city has it on their website as such, https://marshall-il.com/places/united-states/illinois/marshall/worlds-largest-gavel/. A plaque on the base reads, "'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' -Abraham Lincoln." Dedicated to the past, present and future judges of Clark County Illinois. There is street parking and the area was very quiet on a Sunday morning. Plenty of parking. [Review 19667 overall - 122 in Illinois - 639 of 2023.]