Simpson Corner Bridge, Simpson Corner, Indiana

Before we talk about this bridge, let’s start at the beginning to see how we got here in the first place…

Originally there was the Mill Street Covered Bridge built in 1861 by the Attica Bridge Company across the Wabash River in the town of Attica, Indiana.

The covered bridge had two sections separated by a rotating drawspan to allow larger boats to travel up and down the river. The west side of the bridge was longer and appears to have been two spans with an added stone pier for support.

The covered bridge was destroyed by a tornado on May 12, 1886.

Later that year a new wrought iron Pratt through truss bridge was built by the Milwaukee Bridge & Iron Works of Milwaukee, Wisconsin to replace the damaged covered bridge. The new bridge was 7 spans and stood at this location until 1924.

The wrought iron bridge was removed in 1924 but before its removal, it was replaced with this concrete bridge in 1922 known as the Paul Dresser Bridge, which was replaced with the current bridge in 1983. One of the original stone piers still stands. Word has it that the local historical society fought to keep one of the piers standing for historical purposes but the other piers were removed after the 1983 bridge was completed.

But back to the wrought iron bridge…When it was dismantled in 1924 the spans were reused as smaller bridges throughout Fountain County.

One of these bridges is located about 2 miles northeast of the town of Veedersburg, Indiana on County Road 100 North. The bridge is known by several names including: County Road 100 North Bridge and Simpson Corner Bridge as the bridge is located just 1/4 mile west of Simpson Corner. This section of the former bridge is about 131 feet long and spans Coal Creek.

I visited this bridge twice, once in September of 2021 and again in March 2024. During both visits I only saw one other car cross this bridge so usage is relatively light. However, if you get the chance, take a drive out to see this and the JD Coffing bridge which was also “birthed” out of the former Attica Bridge.

Nothing lasts forever so at some point these bridges will eventually be replaced but I have no idea when. A link to the JD Coffing bridge video is listed below. Let me know if you’ve ever driven across this bridge and when.

GPS Location: 40º08’33.0″N 87º15’00.00W