Secrest Ferry Bridge

Today's stop is at the Secrest Ferry Bridge in Gosport, Owen County, Indiana.

This bridge was constructed in 1903 by the Vincennes Bridge Company. It was designed by the Lafayette Engineering Company and is the longest Pennsylvania truss bridge in Indiana. It crosses a section of the West Fork of the White River just outside of the historic town of Gosport, Indiana.

It was closed in 1990 when the newer bridge was constructed a few hundred yards away. In 2008, it was refurbished to be a footbridge for pedestrian use.

The Lafayette Engineering Company (also listed as the Lafayette Bridge Company) was an important designer and builder of truss styled bridges in Indiana and Illinois with at least 17 attributed to them. They began in 1891 with the idea that they could fabricate efficient and simple bridges with the newest manufacturing techniques. They designed many bridges, but for this particular project they did not have the manufacturing capability and had to contract it out to the Vincennes Bridge Company, which was founded in 1898 by three school teachers and went on to build more than 1200 bridges by 1920 across several different states.

It is 320 feet in length, while the structure as a whole is 323 feet.

In 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Side A of the sign reads: "Pennsylvania through truss iron bridge built 1903 by Lafayette Engineering Co. crosses West Fork of White River, spans 316 feet, and rests on concrete and stone abutments. One of the longest single-span iron bridges in Indiana: longest highway bridge of its type. Has unique iron framework, original lattice railing. Replaced Secrest's Ferry."

Side B of the sign reads: "Commissioners from Owen and Monroe counties met in 1901 to plan for a bridge. Owen paid two-thirds of cost. Monroe one-third. Served as vital link between Gosport and Spencer and Bloomington. Closed to vehicles and bypassed by the modern bridge to the west 1990. Listed National Register of Historic Places 1996"

Unfortunately, the sign has been vandalized repeatedly.

It has a few different names, Owen County Bridge #9, Monroe County Bridge #164 or the Gosport Bridge.

The bridge was an important link between Owen and Monroe counties as it was built to provide a safe crossing over the White River for the public highway, which not only passed through Gosport, Spencer and Bloomington, but also the nearby historic quarry town of Stinesville. The bridge was a very important continuation of the transportation history of the area as it replaced a ferry crossing that was only passable at low water levels.

The history of the bridge started around September 4, 1894 with a "petition stating that 'public convenience' required a bridge across the White River between Owen and Monroe counties". The first time that this petition was brought forth, it didn't go well and was rescinded in March of 1895. They tried again in 1901, this time stating that the bridge was suitable for "wagons and other vehicles". The petition stated that this was a necessity as there was "no way to cross the river at said point or near thereto only by fording, which can only be done when the river is low and then such fording is attending with great danger". This river ford was called Secrest Ferry and was run by the prominent landowner James Secrest, whose home still stands to this day.

There already existed a bridge on the east side of town. This one was a wooden covered bridge that was actually closer to Gosport but wasn't on the main route and required travelers to go an extra nine or ten miles out of the way. Unfortunately, this bridge was completely destroyed by arsonists in 1955 and was not rebuilt.

A short drive from Bloomington or Spencer, this bridge is definately worth a trip. It is a lovely spot with a delightful view of the White River. There is no specific parking and is next to private property. There is a junked mini-van with a sign stating that the area is protected by security cameras, which is a good plan since it appears that vandals hang around regularly.

~~~

Resources:

Bridgehunter.com

National Register of Historic Places

Indiana Bridges Historic Context Study

archinform

National Register of Historic Places Application