Phillips Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phillips Covered Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 39°46′20.17″N 87°19′20.71″W / 39.7722694°N 87.3224194°W |
| Crosses | Rocky Run |
| Locale | Wabash, Parke, Indiana |
| Other name(s) | Arabia Bridge |
| Named for | The Phillips family |
| Owner | Parke County |
| ID number | 6100057 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Multiple King Posts (no arch) single span |
| Material | Wood |
| Total length | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Width | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Clearance above | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Britton, J.A. |
| Opened | 1909 |
| Rebuilt | 1991 |
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Phillips Covered Bridge
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| MPS | Parke County Covered Bridges TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000407 |
| Added to NRHP | Dec 22, 1978 |
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The Phillips Covered Bridge is a historic wooden bridge located in Parke County, Indiana. It crosses a stream called Rocky Run. This bridge is special because it is different from most other covered bridges in the area.
Built in 1909 by Joseph A. Britton, the Phillips Covered Bridge uses a "King Post" design. This means it has a simple, strong structure without the large arches you might see in other bridges. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, recognizing its importance.
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Discovering the Phillips Bridge History
The Phillips Covered Bridge has an interesting past and is sometimes called the Arabia Covered Bridge. This nickname comes from the area around it, which was known as "Little Arabia."
Why Was It Called Arabia?
The name "Little Arabia" might have come from Syrian Muslim families who settled nearby a long time ago. Another idea is that it was a less kind name for the people living there.
The Arabia Church and Phillips Family
There used to be a church called Arabia Church on a hill near the bridge. Today, only small parts of the church remain, like a step and some broken glass. However, the Arabia Cemetery is still there. Many tombstones in this cemetery have the "Phillips" name on them. This shows that the Phillips family was very important in the area where the bridge is located. Maps from 1908 show that the Phillips family owned all the land west and south of the bridge.
A Unique Bridge Design
The Phillips Covered Bridge is unique for a few reasons. It is the shortest covered bridge in Parke County. Also, it is the only bridge left in the county that does not use a "Burr Arch" design. Instead, it uses a "King Post truss" system with four segments.
This became true in 1957 when its "sister bridge," the Weisner Covered Bridge, was washed away by water. The Weisner Bridge was built by J.A. Britton a year before the Phillips Bridge and also used a four-segment King Post truss. However, the Weisner Bridge was even shorter than the Phillips Bridge.
Images for kids
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View of the King Post construction with addition bracing added to lengthen the span
