Bell Ford Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bell Ford Post Patented Diagonal "Combination Bridge"
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Piers at the site of the former bridge
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Seymour, Indiana |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1868, c. 1885 |
| Built by | Blish, John; Pattison, Robert, et al. |
| Architectural style | Combination Truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000194 |
| Added to NRHP | March 25, 2005 |
The Bell Ford Bridge was a special kind of covered bridge in Jackson County, Indiana. It was located northwest of Seymour, Indiana. This bridge used to cross the East Fork of the White River. It was once part of State Road 258.
The Bell Ford Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 25, 2005. This list includes important historical places in the United States.
Contents
What Was the Bell Ford Bridge?
The Bell Ford Bridge was first built in 1869. It was 325 feet long and made in two parts. What made it special was that it used both wood and iron. This was at a time when bridges were changing from being built mostly with wood to using more iron and steel.
The bridge had iron parts for pulling forces and wood parts for pushing forces. This mix of materials made it a great example of an "American engineering combination bridge." It was used by cars and animals until 1970.
Why Was It Special?
The Bell Ford Bridge was a rare example of a "combination bridge." This means it combined different materials, like wood and iron, in its design. This design was called a Post Truss. It showed how engineers were experimenting with new ways to build strong bridges.
The Bridge's Collapse
Sadly, parts of the Bell Ford Bridge collapsed over time. The western part fell down in February 1999 during a strong windstorm. Then, on January 2, 2006, the eastern part also collapsed. This happened just nine months after it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Its collapse was a big deal because it meant that no other "combination" Post Truss bridges were left standing anywhere in the world.
Efforts to Rebuild or Move It
After the bridge collapsed in 2006, many people wondered what would happen next. Some local leaders felt it was too expensive to rebuild.
However, in 2007, a grant of $448,000 was given to help restore the Bell Ford Bridge. This money came from a program that helps save historic covered bridges.
Plans for a New Location
In 2008, leaders in Jackson County decided to sell what was left of the bridge. An interest group wanted to rebuild it at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, Indiana. This park is more than 60 miles away from where the bridge originally stood.
The plan was for the rebuilt bridge to be used by walkers and bikers to cross Fall Creek. The restoration was expected to cost about $2 million and take two years. There was hope for more federal money to help with the costs.
Some people in Jackson County were not happy about the bridge being moved. They believed the money should have been used to rebuild it in its original location. They felt it was important for the bridge to stay where it had its history.
