Phillips Covered Bridge - Parke County, Indiana
Posted by: 
GwynEvie
N 39° 46.343 W 087° 19.345
16S E 472387 N 4402544
The shortest covered bridge in Parke County, and the only one not built with a Burr Arch truss.
Waymark Code: WM6962
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 04/26/2009
Views: 7
With a span of just 39' and a total length of 60', Phillips Covered Bridge is the shortest covered bridge in Parke County. Probably for that reason it is also the only bridge in the county built without utilizing a Burr Arch truss. Instead, it is supported by a four segment King Post truss--essentially a Burr Arch design without the arch.
Joseph A. Britton built this bridge in 1909. The name Phillips can be found on a number of headstones in the nearby Arabia Cemetery, which likely accounts for the name. The bridge has also been known as "Arabia Bridge".
The bridge is still open to vehicle traffic today. It carries CR 420W over Big Pond Creek.
Current Condition of Bridge: Bridgehunter.com describes the deck as "satisfactory", the substructure as "fair", and the superstructure as "poor". It does not appear to be in poor condition to the casual observer.
Web Address: [Web Link]
Description of Covered Bridge:
Single span King Post truss with span of 39' and total length of 60'. Portal is 15' wide by 13' high. Poured concrete abutments. Built by Joseph Britton in 1909. Number 14-61-12 in the World Guide.
Year Built: 1909
Parking (If not at the bridge):: Shoulder parking only
Location (Road - City - State - Country): CR 420W near the town of Coloma in Parke County, Indiana, USA
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