Medora Covered Bridge 14-36-04

Uploaded a panoramic photo of the medora bridge. The river was a little flooded so I couldn't get the perfect shot.

I read on a recent website about Jackson County (Wikipedia) that this is the longest bridge in the U. S.

My great-grandparents Effie and Creed Hall lived in the country near Medora.

The rehabilitation work is scheduled to be finished by the end of this week. The ribbon cutting is currently scheduled for July 12th at 1:30 PM. For more detail about the bridge and the rehab project, see the website for Friends of the Medora Covered Bridge at www.medoracoveredbridge.com

Drove to Jackson County today, and was interesting to see just how much work has been done to this old Girl. Will have to keep updated on her, and go back when she is fully restored.

I drove out that way on Saturday, not knowing about the restoration. It was thrilling to see this bridge in this "state of undress" -- it's a rare thing indeed to see.

As you can see from the photos, I didn't exactly respect the construction boundaries. I just couldn't resist.

BTW, this stretch of SR 235 was US 50's original alignment through here.

The Medora Covered Bridge is undergoing restoration at this time. Visitors must adhere to the boundaries established by the contractor.

No stimulus moneys have been utilized on the TE and the National Historic Covered Bridge Grants.

Unfortunately, local Indot is transferring TE grants from Bell Ford to effectively eliminate Bell Ford from Jackson Co. where it Belongs. Politics as usual in Indiana. $l.4 million reasons to vote Republican this fall. The County officials are not willing to go to bat for this bridge. 2. State will take care of the bridge when relocated but unwilling to share in its upkeep in Jackson County. By the way Local Indot R/W on one half of Bell Site; P & R gave Division of Natural Resources an easement to White River at Bell Site. Find pay back. It is a sad commentary when another group comes after grants obtained by local Park and Recreation Board member who did not obtain these grants with local tax dollars.

Any friend of the spans....is a friend of mine Steve!

I am so glad that I discovered this website while mindless surfing one day. I have come to think of Tony Dillon as a friend who shares a passion of old bridges, though I have yet to meet him face to face. Might have to go in search of this bridge.

Hats off to the "bridgehunters" in the pictures shown on this classic's profile. I send a huge salute to ALL bridge fans whom care for the integrity of historic bridges the world over. I also send a hearty salute to the fellow bridgebuffs on this site whom share in my anger toward those whom vandalize historic bridges. "Lets send them spraypaint weilding punks to some tough labor, community service work involving repainting, or repairing a bridge." My biggest salutes go to Tony Dillon, Nathan Hoth, and Robert Elder. I am a big fan of their ambition and determination to save the bridges. I know there are others like them, and a salute comes their way too.

Long Live the Historic Bridge.

Supports were placed under the East end of the bridge (by far the worse part)as it was starting to lean. They also put a temporary metal roof over the old to keep out any more water. I was on the bridge in July and despite being long neglected, the old girl was hanging strong. J.J.Daniels really knew how to build a bridge!

None too soon either. I was beginning to fear it would meet the same fate as Bells Ford, allowed to deteriorate to the point of collapsing. The last time I visited it wasn’t looking too good, lots of rot and decay, especially in the arches and where the floor beams sit on the piers and abutments. Strong winds or even heavy snow this winter could bring it down if something isn’t done soon. Hopefully it’ll hold until they get started on restoration.

Looks like this one is going to be preserved.

http://www.browncountyindiana.com/index.php?id=821

Your talking about the Bell's Ford Covered Bridge west of Seymour. The other half of the bridge collapsed a couple of years ago. Now all of the iron castings and any usable wood parts are in storage. Hopefully someday it will go back up where it belongs.

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Are there any pictures of the bridge during the recent flooding? If so please post. Also, the bridge just north of the Medora bridge (Shieldstown ? ). It was partially washed away, but what happened to the other half? the location of this bridge is Seymore. Thanks

Visited this bridge on 18 Aug, 2007 and it has a new roof. The pictures show the bridge with the new roof. Also my friends Bob, Mark, and John were with me. It was the first time John has ever seen a covered bridge.

Webmaster's note: The photos that were here have been incorporated into the main site.