After Tornado, Indiana Town Vows to Rebuild Covered Bridge
By Gianna Palmer | Online Only | July 2, 2008
An F-3 tornado destroyed the beloved covered bridge in Moscow, Indiana, but locals vow to rebuild.
Credit: Galen Frysinger
A small community hit hard by a tornado last month is now working to restore its most important landmark, a 19th-century covered bridge.
Built in 1886, the bridge spanned the Flatrock River in Moscow, Ind., until June 3, when it was destroyed by winds of more than 130 miles per hour. Several people were injured in what was the most severe of nine tornadoes to hit central Indiana.
The state immediately showed support for the National Register-listed bridge in the tiny town of 80 people. Just two days after the tornado, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels pledged to do everything in his power to repair the bridge. The same day, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) visited Moscow and expressed hope that the bridge would be rebuilt.
"My family and I have been to the covered bridge festival many times," Pence told the Indianapolis Star. "When I stood on the banks of the river and saw the remains of the bridge starting to be swept downriver, it was frankly just breathtaking to me. ... I would love to see this community and this county come together and put that landmark back on the map."
Rush County Commissioners voted on June 9 to rebuild the bridge, and so far the county has salvaged all the debris from the river and has hired an engineer to evaluate what remaining original materials can be reused.
Despite the loss of the bridge and more than 50 houses, the community held its 23rd Annual Moscow Covered Bridge Festival last weekend. But this year, portions of the profits were set aside for bridge recovery efforts.
"That covered bridge defined the community," said Wayne Goodman, the eastern regional office director for the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. "It was the anchor."
Contributions may be mailed to: Moscow Covered Bridge Restoration Fund, c/o MainSource Bank, P.O. Box 249, Rushville, IN 46173.
Subscribe to the Today's News RSS feed
Comments
Submitted by Elmer at: July 27, 2008
I'm not completely confident in this answer, but I believe it is to reduce deterioration. It is easier to replace shingles than the foundation and roadway.
Submitted by East of the mississippi at: July 3, 2008
Great article. Glad to see that one of the last of these national treasures has a town behind its restoration. One thing: does anyone know why they covered bridges in the first place? Sure is scenic but for the life of me I can't see why its practical. Bravo Ms. Palmer!