Star Mill Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Star Mill Covered Bridge |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°51′17.75″N 87°20′8.75″W / 39.8549306°N 87.3357639°W |
| Carries | Tow Path Road |
| Crosses | Sugar Creek |
| Locale | West Union, Indiana, Parke, Indiana, United States |
| Official name | Star Mill Covered Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Harrison Covered Bridge |
| Named for | The Star Mill |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 250 ft (76 m) |
| History | |
| Constructed by | J. J. Daniels |
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The Star Mill Covered Bridge was a special bridge located north of West Union, Indiana. It was a covered bridge, meaning it had a roof and sides. This helped protect the wooden structure from weather. A famous bridge builder named J. J. Daniels built it in 1861. Sadly, it was washed away by a big flood just five years later, in 1866.
Contents
Building the Star Mill Bridge
A Bridge for Sugar Creek
The Star Mill Covered Bridge was the first of three bridges built in the same spot. These bridges were all built over a 15-year period. The second bridge, called the Harrison Covered Bridge, was built five years after the Star Mill Bridge. It only lasted ten years. After that, the West Union Covered Bridge was built. This third bridge is still standing today!
Getting the Project Started
In 1859, a man named Joseph J. Daniels wrote a letter. He was helping his brother, William D. Daniels. They wanted to build two bridges over Sugar Creek. One bridge would be at Star Mill, near West Union. The other would be west of Rockport, known as the Jackson Covered Bridge.
The local leaders, called the Parke County Commissioners, had a special meeting. This meeting was on December 28, 1860. They discussed building a covered bridge at Rockport. Another person, John Scott, also asked for a bridge at Star Mill. He brought a list of people who promised to help pay.
Approval and Construction
On January 1, 1861, the Commissioners met again. They approved $8,000 for both bridges. But there was a condition: local citizens had to raise money too. Two men, James Johnson and Henry Wolf, were chosen. Their job was to find the best spots for the bridges. They also had to figure out what was needed and how much it would cost.
By the summer of 1861, people had raised money. For the West Union bridge, they had $2,747. Eight men agreed to pay the rest of the $8,000. For the Rockport bridge, they had $3,037. Six men agreed to pay the rest for that one. William D. Daniels won the contracts to build both bridges. He had to finish them by the end of 1861.
Bridge's Short Life
In 1863, J. J. Daniels checked the Star Mill Bridge. He tightened its rods to make it stronger. The bridge was likely built very well, just like the Jackson Covered Bridge upstream. However, it could not survive the huge flood of 1866. The powerful floodwaters destroyed the Star Mill Covered Bridge.
