by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County is likely the only place in America where the number of covered wooden bridges is increasing. On Monday, county commissioners will accept $2.77 million in federal highway funds to largely pay for the restoration of the nation’s last known post truss combination bridge.

Known as the Bell Ford Bridge, it stood for 135 years over the East Fork of White River in Jackson County. When it virtually collapsed about 10 years ago, Jackson County officials said they could not afford to restore it.

Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt worked with Jackson County Commissioners to take the bridge with the understanding it would be reconstructed over Fall Creek at Geist Park.

The bridge was disassembled and brought here. It has been in storage for several years awaiting funding under a federal alternative transportation program which grants 80 percent of such costs for trails and bridges.

Actual reconstruction will start late next year, according to County Highway Director Brad Davis, whose department will be the lead agency on the project. The bridge will be a link in the county trail system for pedestrians and bikers, but will not carry motor vehicles.

Hamilton County once had at least six covered bridges. After the loss of Eller Bridge in 1957, Potters Bridge was the only wooden span until Conner Prairie salvaged a covered bridge and placed it on its property several years ago.

Now, the third such historic bridge will be located here. The scenic bridges were numerous throughout the nation in the 19th century, but began disappearing with the advent of steel and concrete bridges in the early 20th century.