Mansfield Covered Bridge

The Mansfield Covered Bridge is a Double Burr Arch double span truss bridge located on Mansfield Road (historic) and Big Raccoon Creek in Mansfield southeast of Rockville in Parke County, Indiana. Built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1867 at a cost of $12,200. At 279 ft (85 m) it is the second longest covered bridge left in Parke County. This Historic Site rest on land provided by Indiana DNR, of Parke County, Indiana and is open to the public all year. [2][4]

Mansfield Covered Bridge
Mansfield Covered Bridge
Coordinates39°40′32.25″N 87°6′6.4″W
CarriesMartin Road (C.R. 145)
CrossesBig Raccoon Creek
LocaleMansfield, Indiana, Parke, Indiana, United States
Official nameMansfield Covered Bridge
Named forMansfield, Indiana
Maintained byParke County
NBI Number6100089[1]
Characteristics
DesignNational Register of Historic Places
Total length279 ft (85 m)247ft +16ft overhangs on each end
Width16 ft (4.9 m)[2]
Height14 ft (4.3 m)
Load limit10 tons
History
Constructed byJ. J. Daniels
BuiltSeptember 4, 1867
Rebuilt1990
MPSParke County Covered Bridges TR
NRHP reference No.78000399[3]
Added to NRHPDec 22, 1978
Location

History

Built for a time during which only wagons, horses and pedestrians used the bridge, the Mansfield Bridge has a 10-short-ton (9.1 t) load limit. The bridge had been used for State Route 59 and in one recorded story, three loaded oil trucks approached the bridge together. The first truck stalled out just before leaving the bridge, and all three trucks came to a stop on the two spans. There was no apparent damage to the strong structure. The arches combined with the truss are able to support more weight than needed so the limit is in the decking and material used for it.[5]

Mansfield Bridge was closed in 1980 for repair to the abutments, roof and decking. The roof and decks were replaced again in October 1990 by the Parke County Highway Department.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[3]

The Mansfield Covered Bridge

  • Detail of Burr Arches and double span are visible because of the sunlight coming through the missing roof after 2006 storm
    Detail of Burr Arches and double span are visible because of the sunlight coming through the missing roof after 2006 storm
  • Close-up of Double Burr Arches with roof missing after 2006 storm
    Close-up of Double Burr Arches with roof missing after 2006 storm
  • Roof restoration has begun after a spring 2006 storm removed over 50% of the roof
    Roof restoration has begun after a spring 2006 storm removed over 50% of the roof

See also

References
  1. "National Bridge Inventory Database Search - 2012". nationalbridges.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-12.
  2. "Mansfield Covered Bridge (#5)". coveredbridges.com. Parke County Incorporated / Parke County Convention and Visitors Commission. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  4. "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2016-06-01. Note: This includes Charles Felkner (December 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Parke County Covered Bridge Historic District" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-06-01. and Site map.
  5. "Bridge Information".


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