The Story of the Guilford Red Bridge, Guilford, Indiana

The area around Guilford, Indiana is loaded with railroad history. In this segment we’re checking out the former Guilford Red Bridge.

Back in the mid 1800s a rail line came through this area until it was abandoned in the early 1900s and realigned not far from the previous route. When the line was abandoned, the former right of way was deeded over to the county who turned it into an automobile roadway…..Now known as “Bonnell Road”.

The rail line crossed the West Fork of Tanners Creek at this location using a bridge that sat on these massive stone bridge abutments. The railroads that most likely used this crossing were the New York Central Railroad, the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway also known as the “Big 4 Rail Line” and possibly the Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Western Railroad.

The railroad bridge, which no photos of are known to exist, was removed once the line was abandoned. This bridge, known as the Guilford Red Bridge, was built in its place sometime between 1915 and 1920. The Guilford Red Bridge was 139 feet long and sat on Collier Ridge Road. It was a one lane through truss bridge that was removed in August 2014 after a bottom chord connection to the end post broke apart .

Just 1/4 mile to the west of these abutments sits another set of stone abutments that supported a small railroad bridge crossing Fox Run near the intersection of Fox Road And Bonnell Road. About 100 yards to the east of these abutments sits a stone arch culvert built by the railroads to cross a small creek around 1864.

GPS Location: 39º10’10.5″N 84º55’47.7″W