Medora Covered Bridge: Difference between revisions

The Medora Covered Bridge was the longest covered bridge in the United states with the entire original historic truss still in place with some repairs but no structural changes.<ref>Indiana Department Of Transportation, Bridge Plans, Project No. 0101359, Medora Covered Bridge</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Guidelines For Rehabilitating Covered Bridges |last1=Marston |first1=Christopher H. |last2=Vitanza |first2=Thomas A. |pages=128–139}}</ref> Measuring the clear span (abutment face to abutment face) of {{Convert|431|ft|10|in}},<ref>Specifications for Medora Covered Bridge by J.&nbsp;J. Daniels</ref> the '''Medora Covered Bridge''' is the longest historic covered bridge in the United States.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tippin |first1=Morris |last2=Barker |first2=James |title=Indiana Crossings, 'Which Bridge Is the Longest Historic Covered Bridge?' |date=Summer 2014 |publisher=Indiana Covered Bridge Society |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Is There a 'Longest Historical Covered Bridge' in the United States? |last=Miller |first=Terry E. |date=Winter 2015 |journal=Covered Bridge Topics}}</ref> The roof length of {{Convert|461|ft}}<ref>{{Cite news |title=Buildings at fair pique peoples interest in history |last=Spicer |first=Zach |newspaper=Seymour Tribune |date=July 24, 2019}}</ref> and the siding at the floor length of {{Convert|459|ft}}<ref>William Cotterman, Architect, Indianapolis, IN</ref> are also the longest historic covered bridge measurements in the U.S.

The Medora Covered Bridge is located in [[Carr Township, Jackson County, Indiana|Carr Township]] in [[Jackson County, Indiana|Jackson County]], [[Indiana]], and crosses the East Fork of the [[White River (Indiana)|White River]] running parallel to [[Indiana State Road 235|State Road 235]]. It is approximately {{Convert|1|mi}} east of [[Medora, Indiana|Medora]] and {{Convert|9|mi}} southwest of [[Brownstown, Indiana|Brownstown]].

The Medora Covered Bridge was built in 1875 by J.&nbsp;J. Daniels at a cost of $18,142.00 and took nine months to build. The bridge was covered to protect the truss from the elements. Before the bridge was built people crossed the river by ferry.<ref name="SHAARD">{{Cite web |url=https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/welcome.html |title=Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) |publisher=Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology |format=Searchable database |access-date=2016-04-01}} ''Note:'' This includes {{Cite web |url=https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/25276/N/Medora_Covered_Bridge_Jackson_CO_Nom.pdf |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Medora Covered Bridge |access-date=2016-04-01 |author1=J.&nbsp;A. Barker Engineering |last2=Arthur |first2=Fleeta |format=PDF |date=May 2006}} and accompanying photographs.</ref>

It has been reported but not verified that at one time there was wooden railing down the middle of the bridge separating the two-way traffic. As the vehicles became wider, the railing was removed and it was then one-way.

Until 1935 the bridge carried [[U.S. Route 50 in Indiana|U.S. Route 50]] when it (US50) was moved four miles to the north.<ref>{{Cite book |title=First Documented History of Jackson County, Indiana, 1816–1976 |volume=2|last=Boley |first=Edwin J. |page=337}}</ref>

In 1968 the bridge was scheduled for demolition when the new modern parallel bridge was to be opened, but was saved by an order from then Governor Whitcomb in 1971.<ref>{{Cite magazine |magazine=Outdoor Indiana Magazine |editor-last=Hill |editor-first=Herbert R. |date=September 1971 |page=23}}</ref>

A modern parallel bridge was opened in 1973. The covered bridge was closed to vehicular traffic at that time.<ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=Seymour Daily Tribune |date=October 13, 1973 |page=1}}</ref>

In 2007, the bridge was added to the [http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/files/medora_coveredbridge_final.pdf National Register of Historic Places].

In June 2011 a rehabilitation of the bridge was completed. The original truss remained in place with a few repairs. The cedar shake shingles, siding (seven of the original boards, identified by square nail holes, were placed on the north side of the far west end), pylons, and some of the rafters were replaced. Except for the shingles, most of these items were original but badly deteriorated. Much of the flooring was replaced but was not original.<ref>Indiana Department Of Transportation, Bridge Plans, Project No. 0101359, Medora Covered Bridge</ref>

*[[List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Indiana]]

*[[List of covered bridges in Indiana]]

*{{Portal-inline|Engineering}}

*{{Portal-inline|Indiana}}

*{{Portal-inline|Transport}}

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