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 Zacke Cox Covered Bridge - Parke County, Indiana Posted by:  Gypsysoul4
N 39° 41.729 W 087° 17.176
16S E 475456 N 4393998
The bridge is located at Bradfield Station, 3 miles north of Coxville and crosses Rock Run Creek.
Waymark Code: WMKVAT
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 05/31/2014
Views: 4
The Zacke Cox Bridge was built the same year and by the same contract as the Harry Evans Bridge and the same year as the Weisner. Although built by J.A. Britton, these three bridges do not have the traditional Britton Portal. Semi-arched, they more resemble the Hendricks Portal, like Williams Mill, Rush Creek, and Mill Creek.
Current Condition of Bridge: The bridge is in good condition and can still used by car.
Description of Covered Bridge:
The length of this bridge is 54' +9' +9'. The width is 15' and the clearance is 14'. It has a Burr Arch 1 span truss. The foundation is concrete.
Repair/Restoration History: The roof and deck were replaced in 1989. Deck replaced in 1991 for $6,000. Restored in 2002.
Bridge History: The Zacke Cox Bridge was built the same year and by the same contract as the Harry Evans Bridge and the same year as the Weisner. Although built by J.A. Britton, these three bridges do not have the traditional Britton Portal. Semi-arched, they more resemble the Hendricks Portal, like Williams Mill, Rush Creek, and Mill Creek.
Zachariah M. Cox was born in 1857 in Coloma. His father was E.T. Cox. The Cox family was prominent with various members owning nearly a thousand acres in Parke County near the Zacke Cox Bridge.
There is a clay strip mine next to the bridge to the northwest. Coal and slate outcroppings can be seen south of the bridge.
There was another road between the Harry Evans and Zacke Cox Bridges. It was never bridged and the ford and approaches are now abandoned. An ancient legendary Indian grave lies between the bridges, marked by a snake-like fossil. However, the hewn rock steps and the entrance are now covered by the collapsed cliff side.
There have been many fossils uncovered by Rock Run, huge snakes are ancient tree fossils. Huge alligator-like fossils were reported north of the Zacke Cox Bridge. Fossil studies in Parke County have revealed familiar species and at least one previously unknown. In 1956, Dr. Rainer Zangerl discovered a 12 foot long shark fossil north of this site, between the Jackson, and West Union bridges. It was the first fossil discovered of the Orodus Greggi sharks. Dr. Zangerl writes that there was a shallow sea covering Parke County during the coal age, 300 million years ago, that was populated by various sharks and bony fishes.
Year Built: 1908
Location (Road - City - State - Country): Bradfield Station, 3 miles north of Coxville on Tickridge Road in Parke County, Indiana.
Web Address: Not listed
Parking (If not at the bridge):: Not listed
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