Lower Dillsboro Road Bridge, Dillsboro, Indiana

www.HistoryInYourOwnBackyard.com
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On Lower Dillsboro Road in Dearborn County, Indiana is a former county road bridge over South Hogan Creek. There’s not much information out there about the bridge but this is what I’ve pieced together.
Although I wasn’t able to find out when the bridge was constructed, another bridge here in Dearborn County with a very similar design was built in 1917 so I’m thinking this might fit into the age range for this bridge as well. The bridge was in use up until 1985 when the span was bypassed and a steel culvert was installed just 100 feet upstream.
When the bridge was in use, heading up Lower Dillsboro Road you had to make a sharp 90º turn to the right and then a sharp 90º turn to the left after crossing the bridge. I’m sure this had to be a nightmare for anyone driving anything larger than a pickup truck. The tight turns at either end of the bridge as well as its age probably had a lot to do with the span being bypassed in 1985.
Portions of the stone bridge abutments have been capped with concrete and a concrete pad sits directly under the bridge, probably to minimize the abutments from being washed out during floods. Since 1985 this bridge as served as the driveway for the house on the other side of the creek and will probably do just fine with that limited amount of traffic for years to come.
GPS Location: 39º02'33.9"N 84º58'34.9"W

[@tammyjantzen9004]

Cool bridge! Would love to have that bridge next to my house. Bet the kids love playing around it. I grew up around a bridge over a creek in NW Indiana. Alot of good memories.

[@gaspowertoys]

Thank you Satolli. Heck of a private residence bridge they have all to themselves now. I love the steel guitar theme music on your channel! Adventurous sounding.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome!

[@musclecarmitch908]

Cool old bridge with beautiful stone work! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome!

[@johnswigler6512]

Glad to see you back on youtube, Satolli. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Thanks!

[@jofus3604]

WOW! In 1968-69 I was stationed on the Nike base on 8854 State Route 262, Dillsboro, IN. ! We closed it in early 1969, the ICBM sites had taken over the Nike Air Defense system. I did not have a car much of the time while assigned there so did not see much.
Great video....🚀

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

Glad you like the video! I plan to do a documentary on the Dillsboro Nike Base. Could you get in touch with me as I have some questions. 812-623-5727 or [e-mail] Thanks!

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

I got your phone message but you didn't leave your number so if you could give me a call back, that would be great. Thanks!

[@Blazing_barbie]

So cool my grandma used to live here

[@mares3841]

Thanks

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

You're welcome.

[@chashague8479]

Retired bridge inspector here. The interesting part of this bridge is that it consists of steel "S" shapes with concrete fill between. The concrete is arched between the bottom flanges of the beams. I saw a diagram of this form of construction in a Carnigie Steel manual from ca 1900.
That other bridge appears to be a pony truss -- not the same kind of bridge at all.

[@historyinyourownbackyard2363]

As far as the other bridge goes, I was talking about the floor of the bridge with the arched concrete over the steel. So have you ever seen a bridge like the one featured in this video and does 1917 sound about right for a construction date?

[@acgillespie]

*My Daddy was born here in 1925 and was raised. I was on vacation from California with him in 1973-4 and kissed my first girl. Yes it shrived me timbers. such abuse for such a young boy.....LOL - Beautiful bridges and only if they could talk*
It's been said from my uncles thru the years that John Dillinger had buddies and stayed here a little bit

[@joeanderson9852]

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