What began as an interest in a pedestrian bridge at a park in Hendricks County, Indiana, has turned into an admiration of something that I had never really paid much attention to in the past -- the historic bridges of Hendricks County.
In doing some research for Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, where I work, I found some interesting information about the history of the bridge at McCloud Nature Park that piqued my curiosity. That led me to start noticing other historic bridges around Hendricks County. Here are a few of my favorites and a little bit of information about them, in no particular order.
McCloud Nature Park Bridge
Let's begin with the bridge that started it all for me: the Warren truss bridge at McCloud Nature Park just outside of North Salem. Spanning 120 feet, this bridge used to cross the Big Monon Ditch in Pulaski County, Ind.
Built in 1913, it was closed more than 50 years ago, disassembled in 2006 and Hendricks County Parks & Recreation salvaged it, restored it and reassembled it over Big Walnut Creek in 2009 and 2010, where it now serves as a pedestrian bridge and iconic feature of the park.
- Built in 1913
- Warren truss bridge
- Location
Barnard Bridge
On the western border of McCloud Nature Park, the Barnard Bridge carries vehicles across Big Walnut Creek along the Hendricks-Putnam County line.
This steel Pratt truss bridge, built in 1915, spans about 140 feet. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for maintenance with a yet undetermined reopening date.
- Built in 1915
- Pratt truss bridge
- Location
Twin Bridges
These twin bridges in Danville are anything but identical. This Baltimore truss bridge spans about 150 feet across White Lick Creek. Built in 1886, it's believed to be one of only three Baltimore truss bridges left standing in Indiana.
The bridge carried vehicular traffic directly under an iron railroad bridge until 1906 when the railroad bridge was replaced by a concrete deck arch bridge with an open spandrel that runs parallel to the metal truss bridge making them "twins."
- Baltimore truss bridge built in 1886
- Concrete deck arch bridge built in 1906
- Location
Haunted Bridge
This concrete arch bridge with an open spandrel stretches 290 feet over County Road 625 East, White Lick Creek and Washington Township Park in Avon. It was built in 1907, rehabilitated in 1998, and remains in use by CSX.
It's rumored to be haunted, which you can learn more about by clicking here.
- Built in 1907
- Concrete arch bridge
- Location
Broyles Road Bridge
The Broyles Road Bridge in Avon, also known as the Old Rockville Road Bridge, is the oldest Whipple truss bridge in Indiana.
Built in 1875, it stretches over White Lick Creek in Washington Township Park. It has been converted to a pedestrian bridge that remains open for use.
- Built in 1875
- Whipple truss bridge
- Location
Friendship Gardens Bridge
Friendship Gardens Bridge is a 172-foot-long pin-connected Warren truss bridge that traverses White Lick Creek in Plainfield's Friendship Gardens. Built in 1886, this bridge originally crossed White Lick Creek on County Road 800 South in Hendricks County until it was relocated to Friendship Gardens in 1995.
It is the oldest Warren truss bridge in Indiana, and it's unusual in the fact that it is pin-connected with ornate decorations. It is believed to be one of only two pin-connected Warren truss bridges left in Indiana.
- Built in 1886
- Pin-connected Warren truss bridge
- Location
