Why Preserve Old Bridges?

The Bells Ford Bridge in Jackson County, Indiana. This is the only Post Truss covered bridge left in the world. One of its two spans was blown down by a windstorm on February 27, 1999. The pieces have been salvaged.

In answer to the question, "Why preserve old bridges?", the following letter to the editor appeared in the Seymour Tribune after the Bells Ford Bridge was heavily damaged by a windstorm and County Commissioners were pondering whether to fund repairs. This letter answers the question well.

While I was deeply saddened by the recent collapse of a significant portion of the Bell's Ford covered bridge near Seymour, I find still greater discomfort at the debate that has surfaced pertaining to the need to resurrect and preserve not just the Bell's Ford structure, but also the other two surviving structures at Medora and Shieldstown.

There should be no question as to the incalculable value these priceless links to a long forgotten past hold.

While not a native of this area, when relocating to Jackson County some 18 years ago, I had the opportunity to see, for the first time, an authentic covered bridge. What a thrill to stand in those massive structures, hand built soon after the end of the Civil War, and try to appreciate the craftsmanship, architecture and hard work that went into such a construction project. Further, in the quiet confines of the bridge, with only the sound of the rushing water beneath as a distraction, one can almost hear, and see, a late 19th century family making the long journey into Seymour. How many of us pass by these bridges daily, and never pause to offer a moment of appreciation for their beauty and grace?

In my opinion, we, as a community, must make available any and all necessary funding to ensure these irreplaceable links to the pioneers of Jackson County are preserved for future generations to experience. What a sad testimony to our community if we are able to fund millions for a new jail, but nothing for bridge preservation.

Remember, once they are gone from our communities, they are gone forever. Is that a cost any of us can really afford to pay? If you think the expenditures are without merit, I challenge you to pull off the road at Shieldstown or Medora, take a slow, deliberate walk through the bridge, and ask yourself if you might like your great-great grand-children to experience what your great-great grandfathers had the ability to build. If the answer is yes, please support the cause!

Chris Savoy
Brownstown