Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge

The Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge is a single span double Burr Arch Truss covered bridge structure that was built by Joseph A. Britton & Son in 1899. Originally it had sandstone abutments but when it was moved to Billie Creek Village they were replaced with concrete abutments with sandstone showing.[4][5]

Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Coordinates39°45′27.58″N 87°12′33.05″W
CarriesWalking trail
CrossesWilliams Creek (Indiana)
LocaleRockport, Parke, Indiana, United States
Official nameLeatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Other name(s)Harry Wolf Bridge
Named forLeatherwood Station
Maintained byParke County Commissioners
Parke County
WGCB #14-61-25[1]
Characteristics
DesignBurr arch truss bridge[2]
Total length72 ft (21.9 m) (includes 9 ft (2.7 m) overhangs on each end)
Width16 ft (4.9 m)
No. of spans1
Clearance above14 ft (4.3 m)
History
Construction cost<$680
Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge (#25)
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge is located in Parke County, Indiana
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge is located in Indiana
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge is located in the United States
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Location of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge
Built1899 (1899)
Built byJoseph A. Britton
WebsiteLeatherwood Station Bridge
Part ofParke County Covered Bridges TR (ID64000193)
NRHP reference No.78000397 [3]
Added to NRHPDecember 22, 1978
Location

History

The bridge was named after the nearby B&O Railroad station at its original location (39.815141°N 87.299085°W / 39.815141; -87.299085 (Original location)). It was also known as the "Harry Wolf Bridge." Wolf owned the land near the bridge. The portal was later modified into a J. J. Daniels Arch while the original angular Britton Arch framing is still visible from the inside.

A letter from J. J. Daniels dated May 18, 1899, says that he had made a bid to build the bridge for $680. Since J. A. Britton was awarded the contract it can be assumed that his bid was less than Daniels.[1]

According to Historic American Engineering Record documentation of the bridge, it was repaired in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration. It was built by Britton who built approximately 40 bridges in three Indiana counties, Parke, Putnam, and Vermillion, during a 33-year period.[6]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[3]

Images of Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge prior to being moved to Billie Creek Village.

  • Detail of splice in lower chord underneath bridge
    Detail of splice in lower chord underneath bridge
  • Detail of Northwest portal entrance bracing
    Detail of Northwest portal entrance bracing
  • Exterior view of Southeast portal entrance
    Exterior view of Southeast portal entrance
  • Detail of Double Burr Arch
    Detail of Double Burr Arch
  • South 3/4 view
    South 3/4 view
  • Detail of lower chord passing through double Burr Arch rings, viewed from below bridge (Note kerfs in arches)
    Detail of lower chord passing through double Burr Arch rings, viewed from below bridge (Note kerfs in arches)
  • Detail of vertical King Post connection with lower chord, viewed from below with picture flipped 180 (Note kerfs in lower chord)
    Detail of vertical King Post connection with lower chord, viewed from below with picture flipped 180 (Note kerfs in lower chord)
  • Detail of double Burr Arch ring bearing on stone abutment, truss and lower chord
    Detail of double Burr Arch ring bearing on stone abutment, truss and lower chord
  • Detail of double Burr Arch ring bearing on stone abutment, truss and lower chord
    Detail of double Burr Arch ring bearing on stone abutment, truss and lower chord
  • View of abutment from under bridge: Detail of both double Burr Arches beating on stone abutment (Note damage to abutment)
    View of abutment from under bridge: Detail of both double Burr Arches beating on stone abutment (Note damage to abutment)
  • View from inside bridge, looking Southeast, showing upper wind bracing and ties, double Burr Arch rings, and truss framing
    View from inside bridge, looking Southeast, showing upper wind bracing and ties, double Burr Arch rings, and truss framing

See also

References
  1. "The Leatherwood Station Bridge". Indiana Covered Bridge Society. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  2. "Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge (#25)". Parke County Convention & Visitors Commission. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  3. "National Register Information System – Leatherwood Station Bridge (#25) (#78000397)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  4. "Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge (#25)". Parke County Incorporated / Parke County Convention and Visitors Commission. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  5. "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved June 1, 2016. Note: This includes Charles Felkner (December 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Parke County Covered Bridge Historic District" (PDF). Retrieved June 1, 2016., Site map, and Accompanying photographs.
  6. John M. Kelly. "Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge". Historic American Engineering Record.
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