Bean Blossom Covered Bridge

The Bean Blossom Covered Bridge is a Howe through truss covered bridge spanning Bean Blossom Creek in Brown County, Indiana.

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The Bean Blossom Covered Bridge is a Howe through truss covered bridge spanning Bean Blossom Creek in Brown County, Indiana.

In June 1880, Mathias Gilbert and 42 other residents petitioned the county commissioners for a bridge to improve travel between Nashville and Georgetown (now Bean Blossom). ^{1 3} The commissioners approved the request in July, and bids were solicited for wooden, iron, and wrought iron bridges. The construction contract was awarded on July 24, 1880, to Captain Joseph Balsley, a carpenter and stair builder from Seymour, who had proposed a wooden covered bridge. His bid was the only one that was low enough and the only one for a covered span. ³

The contract specified a main span length of 60 feet and a roadway width of 12 feet. ³ Three joists were required, made from solid white oak. The flooring was to consist of diagonally-laid white oak boards, free from sapwood and unsound knots. The siding was to be constructed from rough-cut, clear yellow poplar. Any gaps in the siding were to be covered with battens measuring 1×2 inches, made from the same material. The sides and ends of the bridge were to be coated with two layers of mineral paint mixed with linseed oil.

Timber for the bridge was sourced from the Jim Derringer farm near Nashville, while stone for the abutments came from the property of George Tracy that Balsley and Albert Ludkey had identified earlier. ^{1 3} Balsley’s son, J.D., painted the bridge red. Construction of the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge was completed on October 1, 1880, at a cost of $1,175.

In 1883, the county commissioners awarded a $30 contract to Thomas Allender to repair the bridge’s approaches. ³ The approach on the north side was replaced, and the flooring was restored to good condition.

In April 1924, a storm damaged the bridge, causing the structure to twist. ³ Repairs were made promptly. In 1930, the original wooden shingle roof was replaced with a new galvanized tin roof.

The Bean Blossom Covered Bridge served as part of the road connecting Bean Blossom and Nashville until 1936, when it was bypassed by Indiana State Route 135. ¹

In the fall of 1967, the bridge was closed to traffic due to its poor condition. ^{1 3 4} Doris and Mario Panicci, who owned a nearby farm, led a campaign to preserve the bridge, resulting in significant repairs and its reopening. Further restorations were carried out in 1976 and 1982, ^{1 3} the latter which involved replacing some piers. ³ In 1988, the Building Trades high school class, under the direction of Chris Todd, renovated the bridge using materials provided by the Highway Department. ^{1 3}

The Bean Blossom Covered Bridge is the oldest single-lane covered bridge still standing in its original location in Indiana ¹ and one of three left of its type in the state. ²

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Details

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Sources

1. Babcock, Dorothy. “Bean Blossom Covered Bridge.” Peaceful Valley Heritage and Preservation, 22 Jan. 2021.
2. Couch, Suzannah. “Historic Bridge was Once Main Route to Nashville.” Brown County Democrat, 13 Sept. 2017, p. B2.
3. Dunn, Rhonda. “The history of the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge.” Brown County Democrat, 24 Jun. 2020, p. B2.
4. Smith, George. “Campaign Started to Save Bridge.” Times-Mail, 21 Apr. 1968, pp. 1-18.