Red Covered Bridge (Rosedale, Indiana)

Red Covered Bridge
Red Covered Bridge
Coordinates	39°37′34.38″N87°15′1.15″W / 39.6262167°N 87.2503194°W
Carried	C.R. 75W
Crossed	Big Raccoon Creek
Locale	Parke, Indiana, United States
Official name	Red Covered Bridge
Other name(s)	Newcombs Ford and Gallatin Mill
Named for	The color of the bridge
WGCB Number	14-61-08
Characteristics
Total length	276 ft (84 m)248ft +14ft overhangs on each end
Width	16 ft (4.9 m)
Height	13 ft (4.0 m)
History
Constructed by	J. J. Daniels
Built	1880
Destroyed	October 13, 1976 Arson
Location

Last updated September 21, 2024

The Red Covered Bridge was east of Rosedale, Indiana. The double-span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by J. J. Daniels in 1880 and destroyed by arson on October 13, 1976.^[2]

History

Construction

On March 10, 1880, the Parke County Commissioners advertised that they would be taking bids for a bridge to be built at Newcombs Ford in Florida Township. On May 14, 1880, the bids that had been turned in were opened. Richard Epperson had placed a bid for $8,700 and J. J. Daniels had placed two bids with different plans, plan #1 was for $7,600 and plan #2 was for $7,300. Daniels plan #1 won the contract. The Final inspection was completed on October 13, 1880.

Name

Early on, most covered bridges weren't painted, and when they were, they were usually painted white. This bridge was painted red and also had its ends painted red, most bridges had their ends painted white for improved visibility. Another benefit to painting the bridges may have been that it aided in the horses not being leery of entering them, thinking that the bridge was only a long barn rather than a bridge crossing over running water.^[3]

Destruction

Shortly after the bridge was damaged by arson in 1969, William Hargrave, former publisher of the Rockville Republican, established a fund, the Covered Bridge Arson Reward Fund, in an effort to discourage arsonists.

However, seven years later, on October 13, 1976, 96 years to the day that it passed its final inspection, the Red Bridge was burnt down by arson. Three people were charged with second degree arson and conspiracy to commit a felony. All three were soon arrested separately. One was apprehended by an Indiana State Police detective at a service station. Another was arrested at home by Parke County deputies. The last was picked up by West Terre Haute police near another service station. On October 15, 1976, they were arraigned before Judge Dowd with their cases being continued to October 29. Over the objections of the prosecutors the defense attorneys asked for and were granted continuances to study the charges and detailed information. They were later released on $50,000 bail each and the venue was moved to Vermillion County with Judge Peter J. Marietta presiding.

Torch Newspapers would start a campaign to collect funds to rebuild the bridge but as of 2015 the Red Bridge has not been rebuilt or replaced. The stones in the three abutments may have been used on the new Bridgeton Covered Bridge ^[4] and the road is closed.

Related Research Articles

Bridgeton is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Raccoon Township, Parke County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. It is notable for its covered bridge, which was destroyed on April 28, 2005, by a fire set by an arsonist. A historically accurate reconstruction of the bridge was completed in October, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgeton Covered Bridge</span> Two bridges in Indiana, US

The first Bridgeton covered bridge was a double-span Burr Arch bridge built in 1868 by a crew led by J. J. Daniels. It was closed to traffic in 1967. It was built to replace two prior open wooden bridges that had fallen in. After its destruction by fire, it was replaced in 2006 by a reproduction.

The Neet Covered Bridge is a Burr Arch single span structure that was built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1904 over Little Raccoon Creek southwest of Rockville, Indiana.

The covered bridges of Parke County are well-known tourist attractions in Parke County, Indiana, United States, which touts itself as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World". The county claims to have more covered bridges than any other county in the United States. This is due to several reasons, mainly due to the numerous streams and creeks in the county, and having the natural resources and designers to build the bridges.

The Jackson Covered Bridge also known as the Rockport Covered Bridge is located in the 'forgotten town' of Rockport, northwest of Bloomingdale, Parke County, Indiana, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffries Ford Covered Bridge</span> Bridge in Raccoon, Indiana

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.

The Leatherwood Station Covered Bridge is a single span double Burr Arch Truss covered bridge structure that was built by Joseph A. Britton & Son in 1899. Originally it had sandstone abutments but when it was moved to Billie Creek Village they were replaced with concrete abutments with sandstone showing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roseville-Coxville Covered Bridge</span> Bridge southeast of Mecca, Indiana

The Roseville Covered Bridge, also known as the Coxville covered bridge, is southeast of Mecca, Indiana. The double span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1910. This is the third bridge at this location.

Joseph Albert Britton (1839–1929), most commonly known as J.A. Britton, was a builder of bridges in Indiana. He created many works that survive and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

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The Clinton Covered Bridge was on the east side of Clinton, Indiana. The Long Truss style bridge with double lanes, triple covered spans and one 70 foot draw span was built by Hirem Bishop in 1852-53 and destroyed by electric cutting wire in 1899.

The Coal Creek Covered Bridge was on the east side of Lodi, Indiana. The Burr Arch single span style bridge crossed Coal Creek and was built by J. J. Daniels in 1869. It was destroyed by arson on June 28, 1992.

The Dooley Station Covered Bridge was east of Dooley Station, Indiana. The Burr arch truss style single span covered bridge crossed Little Raccoon Creek and was built by W.C. Carty in 1917 and destroyed by arson in 1960.

The Grange Corner Covered Bridge was west of Grange Corner, Indiana. The single-span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by the J. J. Daniels in 1899 and destroyed by flood in 1968.

The Harrison Covered Bridge was north of West Union, Indiana. The double-span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by J. J. Daniels in 1866 and damaged by flood waters in December 1875.

The Hollandsburg Covered Bridge was southeast of Hollandsburg, Indiana. The single-span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by J. J. Daniels in 1872 and torn down in 1930 during the expansion of U.S. Route 36 (US 36).

The Roseville Covered Bridge 1866, also known as the Coxville covered bridge, is in Coxville also known as Roseville. The double span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1866 and destroyed by arson in 1910. This was the second bridge at this location.

The Star Mill Covered Bridge was north of West Union, Indiana. The double-span Burr Arch covered bridge structure was built by J. J. Daniels in 1861 and destroyed by flood waters in 1866.

The Turkey Run Covered Bridge was north of Marshall, Indiana. The single-span Modified Queen Truss covered bridge structure was built by Joseph J. Daniels in 1865, 1866 or 1884, according to several conflicting sources, and dismantled in 1914 by order of the Parke County Commissioners, the abutments remain. It was one of two Queen Truss type covered bridges, the other being the JH Russell Covered Bridge

References

↑ "Red Covered Bridge". Indiana Covered Bridges. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
1 2 "Red Covered Bridge". Covered Bridges. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
↑ "Why did they cover the bridges?". Covered Bridges. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
↑ "Parke County residents begin reconstructing Bridgeton landmark". Tribstar.com. Retrieved 1 March 2015.

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[bridge-1] "Red Covered Bridge". Indiana Covered Bridges. Retrieved 1 March 2015.

[parke-2] 1 2 "Red Covered Bridge". Covered Bridges. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.

[3] "Why did they cover the bridges?". Covered Bridges. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.

[4] "Parke County residents begin reconstructing Bridgeton landmark". Tribstar.com. Retrieved 1 March 2015.

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