Committee raising funds to preserve Cade’s Mill Covered Bridge

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The Fountain County Historical Committee is raising funds to preserve the Cade’s Mill Covered Bridge south of Covington. It is the oldest standing covered bridge in the state. The Howe Truss bridge was built in 1854 at a length of 150 feet spanning Coal Creek.

On March 19, a fundraising thermometer built by local resident and Fountain County Art Council member Bob Dowell was erected on the southeast corner of the Fountain County Courthouse lawn in Covington.

Phase one, the stabilization of the bridge, was completed in December 2019 at a cost of $29,500. Currently, the committee has $39,625 in its coffers that is designated for phase two, which consists of replacing rotten lower cords and repairing the flooring of the bridge at an expenditure of $292,474. 

In phase three, the siding will be repaired at a price of $82,000, and in phase four, the bridge will be painted costing $30,550. After preserving the Cade’s Mill bridge, the Wallace Covered Bridge will be preserved at an estimated cost of $300,000.

Socially and economically, a community benefits when its citizens take pride in its history. Preservation of our heritage is not only aesthetic, it plays a role in our cultural, educational and inspirational legacies. The appearance of Cade’s Mill can literally tell stories and recall events of the past. Old places have soul.

Donations to the Covered Bridge Fund can be sent to Western Indiana Community Foundation, P. O. Box 175, Covington, IN 47932. Please designate Covered Bridge Fund on the notation line.

The Fountain County Historical Committee operates as a committee under the umbrella of the Fountain County Art Council Inc. and is a non-profit organization making donations tax deductible.

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Joe Summers in a member of the Fountain County Historical Committee.


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