Cataract Falls Covered Bridge - Covered Bridges on Waymarking.com

Cataract Falls Covered Bridge is a single-span "Type 3" Smith Truss near the town of Cataract in Owen County, Indiana. Today it sits within the boundaries of Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, where it spans the Eel River (also known as Mill Creek) just above the largest waterfall in the park. In 1988 the road was rerouted and the bridge was bypassed, so it serves today as a pedestrian bridge and as a scenic feature of the park.

In 1875 Owen County commissioners contracted with the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio, for a "Smith's High Double Wood Truss" bridge to replace one that had been lost to flooding. Construction was completed in 1876. According to an engineer who worked on the restoration of the bridge in the 1990s, this bridge has a "Type 3 double" Smith Truss. The link below leads to a fascinating article about the structure of the bridge.

There is a large parking lot adjacent to the bridge. At times there is a nominal admission charge to the Cataract Falls Recreation Area, but the gatehouse is usually not manned during the off season.

Current Condition of Bridge: Very good, thanks to additional restoration work in recent years Web Address: [Web Link] Description of Covered Bridge: Single-span "Type 3" Smith Truss, 136 foot span not including overhang of appoximately 5' at each end. Portal is approx. 14' by 14'. Cut stone abutments. Shingle roof. Constructed by Smith Bridge Company in 1876. Listed as #14-60-01 in the World Guide. Year Built: 1876 Parking (If not at the bridge):: Large parking lot adjacent to bridge and falls Location (Road - City - State - Country): Cataract Falls Rd near town of Cataract, Indiana, USA

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