Pinhook Bridge

The Pinhook Bridge, a Pratt through truss, carried County Route 125 North over Big Walnut Creek in Putnam County, Indiana.

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The Pinhook Bridge, also known as Putnam County Bridge Number 139, carried County Route 125 North over Big Walnut Creek in Putnam County, Indiana.

Efforts to improve roads in northern Greencastle Township began in 1911. ¹ On May 8 of that year, Ellis Wright and 101 other residents petitioned the county for grading, draining, bridging, and macadamizing the road. In June 1911, county commissioners appointed county surveyor A. A. Lane, along with A. J. Owen and John Randolph, to assess the proposed improvements. Seven bids were submitted, and the commissioners accepted the Lisby and Masten proposal for a gravel road as the lowest and best bid.

Funding for the bridge project followed in 1912. ¹ Approximately one year after the initial petitions, contracts for multiple road improvements in the township were awarded on the same day. Allen Hurst and Sweet received the contract to construct the Pinhook Bridge. The Vincennes Bridge Company of Vincennes, Indiana, responsible for many of the county’s long-span superstructures during this period, was selected to fabricate the bridge.

The pin-connected Pratt through truss was constructed in 1913 under the supervision of surveyor A. A. Lane. ¹ The structure was seated on concrete abutments and wingwalls prepared by the road contractor.

The bridge was rehabilitated in 1984 ¹ and closed to automobile traffic in 2006. ² It has been too costly for removal.

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Details

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Sources

1. Holth, Nathan. “Pinhook Bridge.” HistoricBridges.org, 8 May 2010.
2. Jernagan, Jared. “Bike race won’t include Pinhook Bridge.” Sun Commercial, 20 May 2021.
3. Butler, Fairman and Seufert, Inc., Bridge Inspection/Reinspection Report: Putnam County (Indianapolis, 1974, 1978).
4. Putnam County Interim Report: Indiana Historic Sites & Structures Inventory (Indianapolis, 1982), 37.