West Union Covered Bridge (Indiana)

The West Union Covered Bridge formerly carried Tow Path Road over Sugar Creek north-northeast of Montezuma, Indiana. The two-span Burr Arch Truss covered bridge structure was built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1876. It is notable for being the longest standing covered bridge in Parke County,[4][5] and one of the nation's best-preserved examples of the Burr truss.[6]

Not to be confused with West Union Covered Bridge (West Virginia).

West Union Covered Bridge
West Union Covered Bridge
Coordinates39°51′17.75″N 87°20′8.75″W
CarriesTow Path Road (C.R. 525W)
CrossesSugar Creek, Parke County, Indiana
LocaleParke, Indiana, United States
Official nameWest Union Covered Bridge
Named forWest Union, Indiana
Maintained byParke County
WGCB Number
  1. 14-61-27 [1]
Characteristics
DesignNational Register of Historic Places
Total length337 ft (103 m)310ft +10ft +17ft overhangs on each end
Width17 ft (5.2 m)[2]
Height14.5 ft (4.4 m)
History
Constructed byJ. J. Daniels
Built1876
MPSParke County Covered Bridges TR
NRHP reference No.78000414, 100000869[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 22, 1978
Designated NHLDecember 23, 2016
Location

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978[3] and was named a National Historic Landmark in 2016.[7]

History

The West Union Covered Bridge is the third bridge to stand at this location. The Star Mill Covered Bridge was the first and then the Harrison Covered Bridge replaced it but was damaged in 1876 prompting the West Union Covered Bridge to be built. The bridge was finished in September 1876. The road was originally part of the "Indiana State Highway", established with Legislature in 1827, which connected Fort Wayne with Terre Haute. Along with the Armiesburg Covered Bridge it hosted stage coach traffic to Lafayette.

Not much is left of West Union today, only a handful of houses. Gone are the school, post office, and the railroad. The Wabash Erie Canal ran just west of town with a feeder canal running south of Sugar Creek and connecting to the west of the bridge. The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad crossed Sugar Creek to the east of the bridge and past West Union on the west side. Little is left of evidence of the railroad or the canal today. Farmers reclaimed the land and farm most of it today.

  • View of Northwest portal.
    View of Northwest portal.
  • Detail of Southeast abutment with view of double Burr Arch rings bearing on abutment and lower truss details.
    Detail of Southeast abutment with view of double Burr Arch rings bearing on abutment and lower truss details.
  • Interior view of double Burr Arches, Kings Posts, and upper truss.
    Interior view of double Burr Arches, Kings Posts, and upper truss.
  • View looking Southeast of interior of bridge.
    View looking Southeast of interior of bridge.
  • View of Southeast portal. (Note new bridge to far left)
    View of Southeast portal. (Note new bridge to far left)
  • View out of east window looking east.
    View out of east window looking east.
  • Detail of Southeast of abutment.
    Detail of Southeast of abutment.
  • View of Southeast portal.
    View of Southeast portal.
  • View of center abutment from Southeast abutment.
    View of center abutment from Southeast abutment.
  • View of Southwest side of bridge from South.
    View of Southwest side of bridge from South.
  • Detail of wall inscription showing 1914 date and names of county officials at time of building.
    Detail of wall inscription showing 1914 date and names of county officials at time of building.
  • View of wall, built in 1914 after flood damaged original walls, and Southeast portal.
    View of wall, built in 1914 after flood damaged original walls, and Southeast portal.

See also

References
  1. "Bridge Information".
  2. "West Union Covered Bridge (#26)". Parke County Convention & Visitors Commission. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  4. "West Union Covered Bridge". Parke County Incorporated / Parke County Convention and Visitors Commission. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  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. and Site map.
  6. "Draft NHL nomination for West Union Bridge" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  7. "Weekly list of actions 2/16/17 to 3/2/17". National Park Service. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Union Covered Bridge.
External video
video icon Fly-through of West Union Bridge, Spanning Sugar Creek, Montezuma, Indiana, HAER, September 10, 2014
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