A Guide to Parke County, Indiana: The Covered Bridge Capital of America

Covered bridges were built on narrow dirt roads as safe passages across scenic winding streams in the 1800s. They remind us of a simpler time when horse and buggy were the mode of transportation between small rural towns. Today, these charming iconic landmarks are located in picturesque settings virtually untouched by the years. They are both appealing and a reminder of their significance as part of our heritage.

Sadly, only a fraction of these wooden bridges remain since maintaining these old beauties takes a concentrated effort. We once had over 10,000 covered bridges scattered throughout the United States, but now only around 750 have survived.

Parke County, Indiana, is one such gem of a location, the self-proclaimed "Covered Bridge Capital of America," with 31 covered bridges. They are #1 for having more covered bridges than any other county in the United States.

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