Benson Creek Bridge

Good find! The 1881 date makes much more sense to me.

Regards,

Art S.

Section enlargement of circa 1874 photograph illustrating the Bellepoint Covered Bridge.

This bridge was built in 1881, not 1871. The covered bridge that preceded this was built in 1870 or '71. In fact, this is the third bridge at the site. The covered bridge was first. When it was being replaced, the new iron bridge collapsed in December, 1880 and had to be rebuilt.

Something interesting I just found in researching some old newspaper articles.

The Bellepoint Covered Bridge collapsed April 30, 1880 due to high water undermining the south "pier (though pier may also mean abutment as I have seen them used interchangeably in old accounts - the one photograph of the Bellepoint Covered Bridge that exists is grainy and from a distance, but, there do not appear to have been approach spans). It appears that it fell intact and the north end remained on the abutment. The stonework that supports the iron bridge was new construction in 1880. In May, 1880, it was announced in the Frankfort Roundabout that the covered bridge that stood here was given to the county, by the Benson and Pea Ridge Turnpike Company, to replace the covered bridge that had washed out at Conway's Mill.

Conway's Mill is RED BRIDGE.

This explains why the abutments at Red Bridge were extended - visible in modern photographs.

The transplanted Bellepoint Covered Bridge at Conway's Mill was destroyed by the 1883 flood.

The flood waters rose far above this Whipple truss bridge's deck yesterday. Looks like the water was slow moving and the bridge looked OK. Photo courtesy Kentucky Transportation Cabinet