
Autumn Excursions in Central Indiana
On a chilly, foggy autumn morning, I left Indianapolis for a journey through south-central Indiana to photograph some of its most iconic covered bridges. First on my list was the Shields’ Mill Covered Bridge near Seymour, a historic Burr arch truss structure spanning the East Fork White River.
Built in 1876 by master bridge builder Joseph J. Daniels, this two-span bridge was funded by German-American farmers who needed a reliable crossing to transport grain to nearby rail lines. Crafted with poplar arches and supported by limestone piers, it remained in use until 1970, when it was closed to traffic and later restored between 2015 and 2018.
Next, I visited the Medora Covered Bridge, the longest surviving covered bridge in the United States. Constructed in 1875 by Daniels, the three-span Burr arch bridge originally replaced a ferry and later carried Market Route 4, eventually becoming part of State Road 235. Scheduled for demolition in 1968, the bridge was saved by an executive order, and after decades of neglect, it underwent a full restoration in 2011.
I also stopped to admire the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge, Indiana’s oldest single-lane covered bridge still in its original location. Built in 1880 by Captain Joseph Balsley, this 60-foot Howe through truss spans Bean Blossom Creek in Brown County. Constructed from local white oak and yellow poplar, it connected Nashville to Georgetown (now Bean Blossom) until it was bypassed by State Route 135 in 1936.
After storm damage in 1924 and years of decline, preservation efforts began in 1967, with restorations completed in 1976, 1982, and 1988. Today, it remains a beloved historic landmark.
Nearby, in Monroe County, stands the Cedar Ford Covered Bridge. Originally built in 1885 by the Kennedy Brothers, this 127-foot Burr arch truss bridge carried German Road over the Little Blue River in Shelby County until 1975, when it was dismantled and stored. Decades of neglect followed, but Monroe County saw an opportunity to bring it back to life in 2000, seeking a replacement for its last lost covered bridge.
With support from the Federal Highway Administration and local funds, the bridge was reconstructed by VS Engineering using salvaged original components. In 2019, it reopened on Old Maple Grove Road over Bean Blossom Creek, near the former site of the McMillan Covered Bridge. A public celebration marked its new chapter as a proud piece of Indiana’s covered bridge heritage.
Heading west to Putnam County, I explored three more covered bridges over Big Walnut Creek. The Pine Bluff Covered Bridge, built in 1886 by Joseph Albert Britton, features a Howe truss design with iron tension rods for added strength. Its quiet surroundings contrast sharply with its bygone significance, as the area’s major routes shifted elsewhere by the early 20th century.
I continued to the Rolling Stone Covered Bridge, a 1915 Britton creation with a single-span Burr arch design. Dynamiting a nearby boulder protected it from flooding soon after its construction.
Finally, I visited Baker’s Camp Covered Bridge, also known as Hills Bridge. Built in 1901 by Daniels, this Burr arch bridge rests on cut-stone abutments and remains a testament to the craftsmanship of Indiana’s bridge-building legacy.
Each of these historic structures offers a glance into Indiana’s transportation history, combining engineering ingenuity with timeless appeal.