Billie Creek Bridge
Posted by: JimHoney
N 39° 45.679 W 087° 12.401
16S E 482296 N 4401286
This bridge is located east of Rockville, Indiana in Billie Creek Village.
Waymark Code: WMBKA
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 04/30/2006
Views: 28
The Billie Creek Bridge was named for the nickname of Williams Creek which it spans.
Joseph J. Daniels built this bridge in 1895 for $820. This bridge replaced an earlier one constructed by J.A. Britton in 1880. That bridge is thought to have been an open bridge, which deteriorated rapidly because of lack of covering. Joseph A . Button also bid on this bridge. The bids for the superstructure included J.J. Daniels, $820; and J.A. Britton $845.
The bridge was on the Pikes Peak, Plank Road, and Ocean to Ocean Road that became US 36. Like the Sim Smith Bridge, it was saved by rerouting the highway and was not destroyed as were Howard, and Hollandsburg.
A tourist attraction was constructed by moving and restoring local historic buildings near the bridge site. Billie Creek Village now includes a historic church, school, general store, governor’s home, barn, and other features. The Beeson Covered Bridge, and the Leatherwood Station Bridge, have been moved near this site.
Today, the Billie Creek Bridge is intermittently opened and closed for traffic control. When closed, school buses must make a detour of over 2 miles on their assigned route. When Billie Creek Village is open during Covered Bridge Festivals, evenings, and weekends, the Billie Creek Bridge is usually closed until the overflow parking lot is needed and opened.
Current Condition of Bridge: I was able to drive across the bridge.
Web Address: [Web Link]
Description of Covered Bridge: Size: 62 feet
Truss: Burr Arch 1 span
Foundation: Cut sandstone
Year Built: 1895/01/01
Parking (If not at the bridge):: There is a parking lot, to the north by the Econo Lodge Hotel
Location (Road - City - State - Country): Old 36 Road, Rockville, IN USA
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