Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge

The Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge was southwest of Bridgeton, Indiana, United States. The double-span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by J. A. Britton in 1915 and destroyed by arson on April 2, 2002.[1]

Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge
Coordinates39.6300°N 87.2105°W / 39.6300; -87.2105
CarriesJeffries Ford Road (C.R. S150E)
CrossesBig Raccoon Creek
LocaleRaccoon, Indiana
Named forJeffries Ford
OwnerParke County Commissioners
Parke County
WGCB Number14-61-03x
Characteristics
DesignBurr arch truss bridge
MaterialWood
Total length222 feet (68 m)
Width16 feet (4.9 m)[1]
Height13 feet (4.0 m)
History
Constructed byJoseph A. Britton
Opened1915 (1915)
CollapsedApril 2, 2002 (2002-04-02) (arson)
Jeffries Ford Bridge
MPSParke County Covered Bridges TR
NRHP reference No.78000394[2]
Added to NRHPDecember 22, 1978 (1978-12-22)
Location

History

Construction

At the time the Jeffries Ford Bridge was built Joseph A. Britton was 75 years old. Throughout his years as a bridge builder Britton had been assisted by his family and this bridge was no different, some of his sons, four by his first wife and five by his second, would have done the actual construction work. His son Eugene Britton built the Bowsher Ford Covered Bridge the same year.[3]

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[2]

Destruction

Just a few weeks before the Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge was burnt down by arsonist the Jackson Covered Bridge had been damaged. On April 2, 2002 the Jeffries Ford Bridge was burnt to a total loss. The residents of Parke County wanted the bridge rebuilt and tried to raise enough funds to do it but with the burning of the Bridgeton Covered Bridge the decision was made to rebuild the Bridgeton Bridge and replace the Jeffries Ford Bridge with a modern concrete bridge.[4]

  • Remains of the Jeffries Ford Bridge, taken from the south side.
    Remains of the Jeffries Ford Bridge, taken from the south side.
  • The Pier of the Jeffries Ford Bridge.
    The Pier of the Jeffries Ford Bridge.
  • The abandoned road south of the Jeffries Ford Bridge Site.
    The abandoned road south of the Jeffries Ford Bridge Site.

See also

References
  1. "Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge". coveredbridges.com. Parke County Convention & Visitors Commission. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  3. "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.
  4. "Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge 14-61-03x". Bridge Hunters. Retrieved February 18, 2015.

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