Baker's Camp Covered Bridge facts for kids
The Baker's Camp Covered Bridge, also known as the Hillis Bridge, is a historic covered bridge located in northern Putnam County, Indiana. You can find it east of the town of Bainbridge. This cool bridge helps County Road E 650 North cross over Big Walnut Creek. It's about 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) south of where the road meets U.S. 36.
Building the Baker's Camp Bridge
This impressive bridge was built in 1901 by a famous bridge builder named J. J. Daniels. He was known for creating many covered bridges in Indiana. The Baker's Camp Covered Bridge is 128 feet (39 meters) long, 14 feet (4.3 meters) wide, and 13 feet (4 meters) high. Imagine how much wood it took to build something so big!
What is a Burr Arch Truss?
The Baker's Camp Covered Bridge is a great example of a special design called the Burr arch truss. This design was invented by Theodore Burr. It combines two main parts:
- A strong arch, which is a curved structure.
- A series of wooden frames called trusses.
These two parts work together to make the bridge super strong and able to hold a lot of weight. The arch helps to support the main load, while the trusses add extra stability and prevent the bridge from swaying. This design was very popular for covered bridges because it made them durable and long-lasting.
Other Bridges Nearby
If you're interested in covered bridges, there are a few others not too far from Baker's Camp Covered Bridge:
- Rolling Stone Bridge
- Pine Bluff Bridge
These bridges, like Baker's Camp, are important parts of history. They show us how people used to build things and how they traveled across rivers and creeks long ago.
