Billie Creek Village facts for kids

Billie Creek Village is a super cool place where you can step back in time! It's a big park, about 70 acres, filled with 38 old buildings and lots of antique items. Think of it like a living history museum, where you can see how people lived long ago.

You can find Billie Creek Village near Rockville, in Parke County, Indiana. This area is famous for its many covered bridges, earning it the nickname "Covered Bridge Capital of the World." Parke County has 31 of these amazing bridges!

The village was started by people in Parke County around 1964-1965 and first opened its doors in 1969. It got its name from a nearby stream called Williams Creek. The buildings you'll see are from the late 1800s and early 1900s. They range from a log cabin built in the 1830s to a schoolhouse from 1913.

Right across the road, you'll find the Billie Creek Inn. As of 2012, it's a separate place and is now called Royal Inn.

Amazing Covered Bridges

Billie Creek Village is home to three special covered bridges. These bridges are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places!

• Beeson Covered Bridge

This bridge has a special design called a Burr Arch and was built in 1906.

• Billie Creek Covered Bridge

Also a Burr Arch design, this bridge was built in 1895.

• Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge

This bridge also features the Burr Arch design and was built in 1899.

Step Inside History: Buildings to Explore

Imagine what life was like in these old buildings! Billie Creek Village has many historical structures you can visit:

• Beeson-DePlanty Cabin - This cozy cabin was built way back in the 1830s.
• Billie Creek Village General Store - A place where people bought everything they needed, just like a modern-day supermarket, but much older!
• Billie Creek Village Bank - Before it was a bank, this building was a post office before the year 1900.
• Blacksmith shop - See where skilled workers shaped metal with fire and hammers.
• Burr Mill - A mill is a place where grain is ground into flour.
• Chautaqua Pavilion - A large open-air building used for gatherings and performances.
• Covered Bridge Courier Office - This was a print shop, where newspapers and other items were printed.
• Dr. Rice's Office - This office was built in the mid-1800s, where a doctor would have seen patients.
• Farmstead with log barn - See what a typical farm looked like long ago.
• Gaebler Building - This building was constructed before 1904.
• Governor Wright home - The home of a former governor.
• Machinery Shed - A place to store old farm equipment and machines.
• Maple Syrup Camp - Learn how delicious maple syrup was made.
• Refreshment Stand - Built in 1911, this was a place to grab a snack or a drink.
• Schoolhouse - Imagine learning your ABCs in this old school!
• Sorghum Mill and Cider Shack - Discover how sorghum syrup and apple cider were made.
• St. Joseph's Catholic Church - This church was built in 1886.
• Union Baptist Church - Another historic church in the village.

Fun Events at Billie Creek

Billie Creek Village hosts many exciting events throughout the year, bringing history to life!

• School Days In May - A chance for students to experience school life from the past.
• Parke County Covered Bridge Bike Tour - Enjoy a bike ride through the beautiful county in May.
• Parke County Covered Bridge Festival - A huge festival in October celebrating the famous covered bridges.
• Civil War Days - Experience what life was like during the American Civil War in July.
• Ice Cream Social - Celebrate the 4th of July with tasty ice cream!
• Steam Harvest Days - In September, see old farm machines powered by steam, thanks to The Antique Power Association.

The Village's Journey: Challenges and Reopening

Like many historical places, Billie Creek Village faced some tough times with funding over the years. In 2012, there was a plan to sell parts of the village.

But good news! In the summer of 2014, Billie Creek Village reopened its doors with a big celebration on August 10, 2014. However, it closed again for a while.

Then, in April 2022, a new manager named Gregg Larson took over. Thanks to this new management, Billie Creek Village is now open again! You can visit to explore the village and attend special events. It's a great place to learn about history and have fun! 39°45′41″N 87°12′07″W / 39.7614298°N 87.2019582°W / 39.7614298; -87.2019582