Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge facts for kids
The
Quick facts for kids Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°45′27.58″N 87°12′33.05″W / 39.7576611°N 87.2091806°W |
| Carries | Walking trail |
| Crosses | Williams Creek (Indiana) |
| Locale | Rockport, Parke, Indiana, United States |
| Official name | Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Harry Wolf Bridge |
| Named for | Leatherwood Station |
| Maintained by | Parke County Commissioners Parke County |
| WGCB # | 14-61-25 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Burr arch truss bridge |
| Total length | 72 ft (21.9 m) (includes 9 ft (2.7 m) overhangs on each end) |
| Width | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| Clearance above | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | <$680 |
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Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge (#25)
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Built | 1899 |
| Built by | Joseph A. Britton |
| Part of | Parke County Covered Bridges TR (ID64000193) |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000397 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1978 |
The Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge is a special old bridge. It's a type of covered bridge called a Burr Arch Truss bridge. This means it has strong wooden arches inside that help support it. Joseph A. Britton & Son built this bridge way back in 1899.
Originally, the bridge had foundations made of sandstone. These foundations are called abutments. When the bridge was moved to Billie Creek Village, these were changed. The new foundations are made of concrete, but they still show some sandstone.
Contents
The Story of Leatherwood Bridge
Where the Bridge Began
The bridge got its name from a nearby train station. This station was part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The bridge was also known as the "Harry Wolf Bridge." This was because Harry Wolf owned the land close to the bridge.
How the Bridge Was Built
The opening of the bridge, called the portal, was changed later. It was made to look like a J. J. Daniels Arch. However, the original shape built by Britton can still be seen from inside.
A builder named J. J. Daniels wrote a letter in 1899. He offered to build the bridge for $680. But Joseph A. Britton & Son got the job instead. This means Britton's offer was probably less than Daniels'.
Repairs and Recognition
The bridge was repaired in 1940. This work was done by the Works Progress Administration. Joseph A. Britton built about 40 bridges in Indiana. He worked in Parke, Putnam, and Vermillion counties. He built bridges for 33 years.
The Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it is an important historical site.
Gallery
Here are some pictures of the Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge. These photos were taken before it was moved to Billie Creek Village.
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