Moscow Covered Bridge

Drove to Moscow today, to see this beauty. Dan and his sons deserve the key to the state. Looking over the bridge today, I thought to myself the Ghost of E.L. Kennedy had to be present in the rebuilding, and is probably very proud of the rebuild.

Tony, I been waiting to see pictures of this bridge completed. I am looking forward to making a trip someday to visit it, perhaps next year.

Looks good. Excellent job!

Major work has been completed on the Moscow Covered Bridge. It is scheduled to be painted next week and the scrolls still need to be installed. And a lot of clean up work to finish. Still scheduled for rededication on September 25th.

About the wonderful photos. It would be nice if the could be kept in chronological order. Right now the shots I posted in mid July are after the ones posted in August. Webmaster?

And it does need to be noted.....that NO taxpayer dollar were used in the rebuilding of the Moscow Covered Bridge. The money all came from donations and private grants.

Don't get me wrong.

I totally agree with Nathan in respect to covered bridges being given an unfair advantage over other types of historic spans. I have felt the frustration many times over as a metal truss bridge was ignored and eventually destroyed.

But this is ignorance of PEOPLE, and should have no reflection on the covered landmarks themselves.....as they ARE worthy of attention.

I applaud Kansas for shifting their focus to preserving other types of historic spans. Hopefully other states out there with no remaining wooden spans will realize that they still have historic bridges to save.

I am proud of the strides my home state of Indiana has made. I have seen more metal truss bridge restorations in the past 5 years, than those involving the covered spans. It doesn't mean we can relax here, but gives us hope that all is not lost.

One can only hope that states like Kentucky and Pennsylvania will wake up to their injustices, before there is nothing left to preserve.

This has been a very interesting discussion! I guess I should have had my camera with me when I was in Missouri now that I see that they are demolishing their bridges (even on the Katy Trail!) faster than I realized.

As far as the discrimination aspect, each state and region seems to be unique, but wooden bridges are often recognized as historic by the general population. This is a small victory, but hopefully through these websites, the same awareness can be raised for other designs.

My homestate provides a case study in which no historic covered bridges remain. Thus, other designs became the focus of preservation efforts. The last remaining historic covered bridge in Kansas was struck by lightning and burned in 1958. This factor was therefore removed from the question of historic bridge preservation in the Sunflower State.

Consequently, of the approximately 90 Kansas bridges that have been listed on the NRHP, none of them include "America's favorite bridge type". Instead, Bowstring trusses became of primary importance. These were followed closely in importance by other rare truss designs,(ie, Pegram, Lattice, Double-intersectional Warren, Reverse Parker) then by more common varieties (ie Parker, Pratt, Warren. Marsh Arches received moderate priority. Interestingly enough, very few open spandrel bridges were considered eligible, yet the state has just preserved one non-listed example and rehabilitated another.

We did not have the luxury of being able to preserve historic covered bridges...

I am a strong believer that the determining factor for the preservation of historic bridges should be historic significance, not bridge type. That said, I agree with Tony's comment below.

But you have to admit that a country that has a program called the "National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program", without an equivalent program for other historic bridge types is a bit discriminatory, and does give one particular bridge type an unfair advantage. Why not have a program that covers ALL historic bridge types, including covered bridges, truss bridges, arch bridges, etc?

Perhaps then, when another iron Thacher truss gets destroyed like Michigan's did, the replication of the bridge would be funded much like this covered bridge's replication. http://www.historicbridges.org/truss/ditch/index.htm

Tony, your words sound ever clear!

I think we need to keep it real here and just remember that a historic bridge ( no matter what it is made of) is just that......Historic!, and deserves to be preserved no matter what.

I have focused my attention the past several years on iron and steel truss bridges, but in no way do I discount the importance of public knowledge of wooden trusses as well. As long as Mother Nature has her wrath....an more importantly as long as there is some idiot out there with a book of matches, we need to teach our younger generations the value of these timeless heirlooms.

It doesn't matter if they are wood; metal; concrete or stone......once they are gone, they are gone forever.

Robert:

Even the Katy Trail isn't safe:

http://www.historicbridges.org/missouri/newfranklin/index.php

Reply to Nathan:

Thanks for the clarification on Indiana.

It has been about 10 years since I have spent much time in Missouri. Back then, the state had an incredible collection of trusses. I just went to look at some of the bridges that I have crossed and many of them are gone. I didn't realized that trusses were being demolished that rapidly.

I guess the recent preservation jobs, such as the Union Station Bridge and the Katy Trail bridges have not been representative of HB preservation in the state.

I would clarify such a statement as outlined below by saying Indiana is a leader in preserving locally owned metal truss bridges. State-owned truss bridges are not being preserved at all.

Missouri actually has a terrible preservation track record. A favorite MoDOT pastime is to blow up National Register eligible bridges using explosives. The few bridges that are preserved do not balance out that which has been demolished.

On second thoughts, perhaps not Missouri as much - despite some good preservation jobs, they have demolished quite a few truss bridges lately.

Reply to Matthew:

Indiana has been a leader in preservation of metal truss bridges, so I think that they would do the same. Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Iowa, and Missouri also seem to do a good job of preserving historic bridges of all types.

That being said, those states are exceptions. There are plenty of other states - namely one that starts with "P" that would be less likel to save a truss. There is definitely some discrimination agaist metal trusses vis a vis covered bridges. I know of many individuals who regard trusses as eyesores.

Matthew... Amen to that!!!!

Ironic you mention this, since I just wrote up a page for a doomed metal truss in Pennsylvania where I suggested that if preservationists had snuck out at night and covered the truss with wooden planks, that the bridge probably would have been preserved.

http://www.historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/index.php?bridgebrowser=pennsylvania/bartohollow/

I'm certainly not trying to decry the importance of an historic covered bridge, as they should be preserved just as any other historic bridge should, but--if this bridge had been a wrought iron or steel truss bridge from the same era, would it receive this kind of attention? I'm quite certain that if it were, there would be a new concrete bridge being constructed right now. Again, it's great news that this bridge is being restored, as it holds great historical and personal (for a great many people) value, but I strongly believe that the steel and iron truss bridges should receive the same kind of attention, as they are just as valuable as the covered ones. Just had to get that out...

I was lucky enough to be travelling in the area and was happy to have the chance to stop by last Tuesday when they were putting in the sub floor. Met some of the local Amish as well. (picture) Glad to have the pictures to share.

Webmaster's note: The photo that was here has been incorporated into the main site.

Your very welcome!

It was my pleasure to share this unique experience with everyone. I had to change the 2 videos of the bridge lift to a different format, and have noticed they are freezing at certain points. Haven't had time to try and rework them, but hopefully there is enough good footage to enjoy.

I just want to add my comment of thanks for the photos and videos that have been posted and linked here regarding the rebuilding of this bridge. Congratulations and thanks to all of you working on this project.

Here are 3 links for video clips from the lifting of the second span on Wednesday 7/7

Rolling it into place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG3M6KTgBbg

Lifting Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxjXwBzPbjI&feature=channel

Lifting Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjuXYhYM25k&feature=channel

Thanks for all the pictures you have posted here. I was born in Greensburg in 1962 and lived in Milroy until the 2nd grade. I went to church in Moscow. I've crossed that bridge hundreds if not thousands of times. My dad's side of the family still lives in the area and farms. I was so sad when I found out that the tornado had taken the bridge. It was like a little piece of my childhood had been ruined.

I love the fact that they are rebuilding the bridge, but I live in Missouri and don't get home very often. My dad lives in central Indiana, and his brother lives just up the road from the bridge. Dad went to Moscow this week to watch them working on the bridge. I'm not sure exactly what they were doing, but I sure wished I could have been there. Finding your pictures was the next best thing.

I just sent a link so my dad can come to your site and see all the pictures. I know he will really enjoy it.

Thanks for all the pictures you have posted here. I was born in Greensburg in 1962 and lived in Milroy until the 2nd grade. I went to church in Moscow. I've crossed that bridge hundreds if not thousands of times. My dad's side of the family still lives in the area and farms. I was so sad when I found out that the tornado had taken the bridge. It was like a little piece of my childhood had been ruined.

I love the fact that they are rebuilding the bridge, but I live in Missouri and don't get home very often. My dad lives in central Indiana, and his brother lives just up the road from the bridge. Dad went to Moscow this week to watch them working on the bridge. I'm not sure exactly what they were doing, but I sure wished I could have been there. Finding your pictures was the next best thing.

I just sent a link so my dad can come to your site and see all the pictures. I know he will really enjoy it.

The second span of the Moscow Covered Bridge was successfully lifted into place on Wednesday morning, July 7

Lifting of the second span is set for Wednesday morning July,7 starting at 7 AM.

How about it! The construction is taking place rapidly. I wish I could have seen the span lifted onto the foundation. And I sure didnt know the second span would be that much underway. Before one knows, it will be lifted into place. It would also take some time for siding, roofing, and setting the floorboards. Yes one should enjoy seeing work taking place if not finished by the festival. I live only 30 minutes away and need to check out the work on the weekends.

The first span of the rebuilt Moscow Covered Bridge was successfully placed back on it's foundations this past week. More pictures posted on the bridge's main page.

I like the pics being posted on this bridge. I really would like to visit it once it reopens.

Man, I will have to check out the rebuilding work this weekend since I don't live too far away!

Wow, unbelievable. I haven’t been to Moscow since the tornado and I’m not so sure I’d even want to now. It was such a beautiful area before, now it looks like a war zone. It’s hard to imagine that nature can sometimes be as destructive as humans.

Hopefully the long awaited work on reassembly of the Moscow Covered bridge will begin soon. The construction crew has spent several months cutting and notching new members to replace the ones too damaged to be reused. Meanwhile, the engineering firm has had the painstaking task of weaving together the old and new material for a bridge that will once again carry traffic. Patience has been emphasized during this process, and hopefully we will soon see the fruit of that patience.

The rebuilding of this Indiana landmark is set to begin in the next few weeks. The contractor will work on the bridge all winter. Plans call for it to be finished for the Moscow Covered Bridge Festival which will be held on June 4-6, 2010.

This bridge was featured in an episode of Ducktales.

Does anyone happen to have the lattest build status of the E L Kenndy Bridge todate. just before the Tornado in 08 our Corvette Club drove over the Bridge and Frank and Karen Sheasley took pictures of eash Corvette as we came off on Sept 29,2007. I would like to duplicate that Drive and Dine with our current Corvette Club of course that depends on the Bridge.

Thanks

Dick

Carmel

That's a wonderful photo, Fred. I admire your photographic ability!

Sorry to see it was destroyed. Hopefully it can be rebuilt. I usually try and find covered bridges while I'm traveling on vacation, and had trouble finding this one in July 2007 (it was just before dawn), but after driving around while, I finally did find it and got a couple time exposure shots of it, which I'm including in this post.

Thank God that the Moscow Covered Bridge is going to be rebuilt!! Like any bridge project which involves rebuilding/remodeling, it won't be an easy task but in the long run it'll be worth all the time & effort & for that we should be thankful that a historical landmark of this magnitude is getting redone & all.

My son is one of a few men from New Castle Correctional Facility helping get the Bridge out of the water. Each night I talk with him he is so excited on the progress being made he says it can be rebuilt. He also says how wonderful the nice people of moscow are and how well they treat him. He wants to thank them very much for letting him have this chance to help save a part of History.

As his mother I thank you for your kindness, its very hard work but the rewards will be many.

Did you get any photos of the bridge after the tornado hit?

The overhead picture of the bridge in the water appears to show the trusses somewhat intact. I would not count out on Rush County Heritage getting it rebuilt. It can and has been done.

I very much regret to inform anyone reading this but, as of last night, June 3, 2008, the Moscow covered bridge was totally destroyed by a tornado. Along with many area homes and other historical buildings. There were some injuries and as I write this the extent of those injuries are unknown. I live 1 1/2 miles from this bridge site and am very sadden by the structure's passing. It had survived 122 years. It will be sorely missed.