Putnam County officials recently allocated funds to address repairs at some of the county’s covered bridges, including Cornstalk Covered Bridge.
Indiana Landmarks partnered with local groups to nominate Putnam County’s nine covered bridges to the National Register of Historic Places.
Though Indiana’s Parke County proclaims itself the “Covered Bridge Capital of the World,” nearby Putnam County proudly holds runner-up status with nine covered bridges carrying traffic over the area’s waterways.
The picturesque spans are beloved and admired for their heritage and character-defining features, but their path to official recognition remained elusive until Indiana Landmarks partnered with two local groups to nominate all nine covered bridges to the National Register of Historic Places.
In early 2023, Phil Gick, Putnam County Council member and then-president of the Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County (HPS), sought assistance from Indiana Landmarks and the Putnam Parks & Pathways organization to nominate the county’s covered bridges to the National Register of Historic Places. In May, the National Park Service approved the nominations prepared by consultant Kurt Garner, adding all nine spans to the National Register: Cornstalk Bridge east of Raccoon, Pine Bluff Bridge near Carpentersville, Rolling Stone Bridge and Baker’s Camp Bridge in the Bainbridge vicinity, Edna Collins Bridge near Clinton Falls, Dunbar Bridge and Oakalla Bridge near Greencastle, Houck Bridge outside Manhattan, and Dick Huffman Bridge south of Reelsville.
Putnam County officials recently allocated funds to address repairs at some of the county’s covered bridges, including Cornstalk Covered Bridge near Raccoon.
Constructed between 1880 and 1922, all but two of the covered bridges span Big Walnut Creek, providing an important avenue for transportation across the county’s main waterway. Not surprisingly, more than a century after their construction several of the bridges face critical rehabilitation needs. Putnam County Council recently allocated $200,000 to address the most urgent repairs, but listing in the National Register qualifies the spans for additional grant funding.
To learn more about Putnam County’s historic covered bridges, including ongoing efforts to preserve and rehabilitate them, contact Indiana Landmarks’ Western Regional Office, 812-232-4534, west@indianalandmarks.org.
Illinois State Museum Route 66 exhibit to open May 23
Lawrenceville votes to raise sewer rates and hire engineering firm for new sewer plant
Two sentenced to prison in Lawrence County
May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day
St. Francisville City Council takes action on annual budget
Unit #10 Special Education meeting
Chevron hosts annual former Texaco refinery open house
Bill signed to prohibit cell phones, wireless devices in schools
Sumner in line for federal funding for planned Christy Avenue project
Neimerg calls for IDOC changes at Lawrence County and Crawford County prisons
110th running of the Indianapolis 500 a sellout, local TV delay lifted
Lawrence County issued tentative property multiplier
Ash retires as Bridgeport Police Chief
USDA requires SNAP authorized retailers to carry more real food
Vincennes paving work continuing
Rep. Niemerg calls for immediate your of correctional facilities following inmate death
Congressman Yakym's staff to hold mobile office hours in Plymouth this month
Indiana state senator working to legalize medical marijuana
“Click It or Ticket” campaign reminds Hoosiers to buckle up
