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==History==
==History==
The Beeson Covered Bridge originally crossed the Roaring Creek, near [[Marshall, Indiana]] in [[Washington Township, Parke County, Indiana|Washington Township]], but due to another bridge across the county being named the [[Marshall Covered Bridge]] it was named after the nearby Beeson family. William H. Beeson, who was born in 1879 owned 53 acres of land near the bridge. It crossed Roaring Creek on C.R. 216 which doesn't exist anymore. From looking at maps of the period when the bridge was built it would have been in the vicinity of {{coord|39|51|35.88|N|87|12|8|W|type:location}}.<ref name="beeson" />
The Beeson Covered Bridge originally crossed the Roaring Creek, near [[Marshall, Indiana]] in [[Washington Township, Parke County, Indiana|Washington Township]], but due to another bridge across the county being named the [[Marshall Covered Bridge]] it was named after the nearby Beeson family. William H. Beeson, who was born in 1879 owned 53 acres of land near the bridge. It crossed Roaring Creek on C.R. 216 which doesn't exist anymore. From looking at maps of the period when the bridge was built it would have been in the vicinity of {{coord|39|51|35.88|N|87|12|8|W|type:location}}.<ref name="beeson" /><ref name="SHAARD">{{cite web| url = https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/welcome.html| title = Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) | publisher = Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology | format = Searchable database| accessdate = 2016-06-01}} ''Note:'' This includes {{cite web| url =https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/1ce09/N/Park_CO_Covered_Bridge_HD_Nom.pdf| title = National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Parke County Covered Bridge Historic District| accessdate = 2016-06-01| author=Charles Felkner| format = PDF| date=December 1977}}, [https://secure.in.gov/apps/dnr/shaard/r/1ce08/N/Parke_CO_Covered_Bridge_HD_2.pdf Site map], and Accompanying photographs.</ref>


The bridge was closed in 1969 because the abutments were declared unsafe. In March 1979 a nearby concrete bridge collapsed. This, along with the earlier closing of the Beeson Bridge, caused a severe problem with access to Marshall and nearby Turkey Run High School and [[Turkey Run State Park]]. The Roaring Creek Citizens Association (RCCA) was formed to address this problem.
The bridge was closed in 1969 because the abutments were declared unsafe. In March 1979 a nearby concrete bridge collapsed. This, along with the earlier closing of the Beeson Bridge, caused a severe problem with access to Marshall and nearby Turkey Run High School and [[Turkey Run State Park]]. The Roaring Creek Citizens Association (RCCA) was formed to address this problem.
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{{Parkecountycoveredbridges}}
{{Parkecountycoveredbridges}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Indiana}}
{{NRHP bridges}}


[[Category:Covered bridges in Parke County, Indiana]]<!--subcat of Registered Historic Places in Indiana-->
[[Category:Covered bridges in Parke County, Indiana]]<!--subcat of Registered Historic Places in Indiana-->
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[[Category:Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana]]
[[Category:Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana]]
[[Category:Relocated buildings and structures in Indiana]]
[[Category:Relocated buildings and structures in Indiana]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Parke County, Indiana]]

Revision as of 11:03, 11 June 2016

Template:Geobox

The Beeson Covered Bridge is a Burr Arch covered bridge structure that was built by the Frankfort Construction Company in 1906.

History

The Beeson Covered Bridge originally crossed the Roaring Creek, near Marshall, Indiana in Washington Township, but due to another bridge across the county being named the Marshall Covered Bridge it was named after the nearby Beeson family. William H. Beeson, who was born in 1879 owned 53 acres of land near the bridge. It crossed Roaring Creek on C.R. 216 which doesn't exist anymore. From looking at maps of the period when the bridge was built it would have been in the vicinity of 39°51′35.88″N 87°12′8″W / 39.8599667°N 87.20222°W / 39.8599667; -87.20222.[1][2]

The bridge was closed in 1969 because the abutments were declared unsafe. In March 1979 a nearby concrete bridge collapsed. This, along with the earlier closing of the Beeson Bridge, caused a severe problem with access to Marshall and nearby Turkey Run High School and Turkey Run State Park. The Roaring Creek Citizens Association (RCCA) was formed to address this problem.

At 11:47 pm on August 9, 1979, just shortly after the RCCA had a meeting at Turkey Run High School, a fire was reported at the Beeson Bridge. Firefighters from Marshall fought from the south end while firefighters from Bloomingdale fought from the north end of the bridge. The fire was found to be a clear case of arson, fuel oil odors were still strong the following morning. The Parke County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshal all were part of the investigation, owing that it is a registered national landmark the FBI probably had jurisdiction too but declined to join. Due to the fire happening so close to the RCCA meeting the RCCA threatened legal action with anyone accusing them of being connected with the fire.

Less than a week later another fire was started just after midnight on August 15, 1979. A nearby neighbor, Bill Connerly saw someone at the bridge and heard a car turn around in his driveway. Shortly after that he saw flames at the bridge and contacted the Fire Department. The Marshall Fire Department found the bridge floor covered in flames but was quickly able to extinguish them.

On December 4, 1979 the Buchta Trucking Company began moving the bridge to its current location over Williams Creek in Billie Creek Village, Rockville, Indiana. They first removed the roof and sides before transporting the rest of the bridge.[3]

Gallery

  • Beeson Covered Bridge at Billie Creek Village
    Beeson Covered Bridge at Billie Creek Village

See also

References

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference beeson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)" (Searchable database). Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2016-06-01. Note: This includes Charles Felkner (December 1977). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Parke County Covered Bridge Historic District" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-06-01., Site map, and Accompanying photographs.
  3. ^ "Beeson Covered Bridge". Parke County Incorporated / Parke County Convention and Visitors Commission. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
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