Conley's Ford
Bridge
Built in 1906-07 by J.
Lawrence Van Fossen
Location: Located between Mansfield and Bridgeton, 2
miles southwest of Mansfield.
Size: The length of this bridge is 192' +10' +10'. The
width is 16' with 13' of clearance. It has a double Burr Arch 1
span truss. The foundation is concrete.
Repair/Restoration History: Resided and reroofed in
1991.
Bridge History:This bridge was built of white pine. Most
Parke County bridges were predominantly built of poplar. It has
been claimed as the fourth longest single span covered bridge in
the world.
J. Lawrence Van Fossen built the Conley’s Ford Bridge the same
year that his brother, Jefferson P. Van Fossen, built the Adam’s
Bridge. Jefferson P. Van Fossen later built the Jessup Bridge, in
1910 and was the contractor for the second Roseville Bridge, that
same year.
J. Lawrence Van Fossen constructed the abutments for the Billie
Creek Bridge, in 1895. He transported the stone from the nearby
quarry.
The Van Fossens worked for the Parke County Road Department. The
Van Fossens worked closely with Joseph J. Daniels who built the
Roseville, and Billie Creek bridges.
All of their bridges have the "Daniel’s Arch" and the Daniel’s
construction style.
In 1991, the "Daniels Portals" have been changed to "Britton
Portals," and the 1906-07 date reduced to 1907. It has a corrugated
galvanized steel roof and has been completely resided and
painted.
Earlier portal lettering included commissioners, auditors,
treasurer, and builder. Legible portions of old photographs include
Bradfield, Grubb and Baxted(?), Commissioners, A. Pickett,
Engineer.
The phrase "Cross This Bridge At A Walk" refers to the speed and
gait of a horse. The rhythmic running of a horse can set up
destructive vibrations in a bridge. The sign does not require the
automobile, wagon, or bicycle rider to dismount and walk across the
bridge.
The cache is a 2 Qt Lock & Lock container. Please hide it as
well or better than you found it. There is a Sacagawea dollar in
the cache for the first one to find.