Cox Ford Covered Bridge, Covered bridge in Parke County, United States
Cox Ford Covered Bridge is a roofed crossing over Sugar Creek built with a wooden Burr Arch truss design and painted red exterior walls. The structure spans about 176 feet with a clearance height of 13 feet, allowing vehicles and pedestrians to pass through.
Joseph A. Britton built this structure in 1913 after a severe flood destroyed the previous steel bridge at the site. The construction reused arches from a neighboring older bridge to create the new Burr Arch design.
The bridge shows how communities built structures that adapted to nature's challenges, with its red wooden walls and sturdy design reflecting the craftsmanship of its time. It belongs to a group of covered crossings that define the area's visual identity and connect people to local heritage.
The bridge sits about half a mile west of a state park and opens up to hiking trails and canoe launch areas nearby. Visitors should check weather conditions beforehand, as unpaved access roads can become muddy or slippery after rain.
The foundation mixes original 19th-century stone blocks with concrete additions that raised the entire structure about 5 feet higher than before. This reinforcement was crucial for protecting the bridge against future floods and extending its lifespan.
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