Hollandsburg Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hollandsburg Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°45′13.7″N 87°3′15.9″W / 39.753806°N 87.054417°W |
| Carries | Plank Road |
| Crosses | Big Raccoon Creek |
| Locale | Hollandsburg, Indiana, Parke, Indiana, United States |
| Official name | Hollandsburg Covered Bridge |
| Named for | Hollandsburg, Indiana |
| History | |
| Constructed by | J. J. Daniels |
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The Hollandsburg Covered Bridge was a special type of bridge located southeast of Hollandsburg, Indiana. It was a single-span covered bridge, meaning it had a roof and sides to protect its wooden structure. This bridge was built by a famous builder named J. J. Daniels in 1872. Sadly, it was taken down in 1930 to make way for a new, wider road, U.S. Route 36 (US 36).
History of the Hollandsburg Bridge
Building the Bridge
The Hollandsburg Covered Bridge replaced an older bridge in the same spot. This original bridge was built when a special road called the Plank Road was created. This road connected Indianapolis and Montezuma.
However, the wooden planks of the road soon started to rot. So, the local government, the Parke County Commissioners, bought the road. They then covered it with gravel and made it a free road for everyone to use. The new Hollandsburg Bridge was built when this Plank Road was fixed up.
In early 1872, the Parke County Commissioners asked builders to offer prices for building the Hollandsburg Bridge. On April 9, 1872, they looked at the offers. Joseph J. Daniels offered to build it for $7,000. Two other builders, William Blackledge and James Moyers, offered $7,300. Joseph J. Daniels was chosen to build the bridge.
Why the Bridge Was Removed
Around 1930, officials decided that the new US 36 highway would follow the path of the old Plank Road. During the construction of this new highway, the Hollandsburg Covered Bridge had to be taken down.
There were some disagreements about the construction work and hiring practices at the time. Despite these issues, the bridge was removed to allow for the new highway. Later, in 1961, the US 36 road east of Hollandsburg was made straighter. A new bridge was also built in preparation for the new Mansfield Reservoir. The area where the Hollandsburg Bridge once stood, along with several other bridges, was eventually covered by water.
