Suspension Bridges of Indiana

This is a list of all 26 bridges from the suspension bridge inventory for Indiana in USA. Wherever you see a Bridgemeister ID number click it to isolate the bridge on its own page.

Related Lists:

1873: Harrison

Harrison, Ohio and Dearborn County, Indiana, USA - Whitewater River
Bridgemeister ID:81 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1873
Name:Harrison
Location:Harrison, Ohio and Dearborn County, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Whitewater River
Principals:James W. Shipman and Co.
References:EOV
Use:Vehicular (one-lane)
Status:Destroyed, 1913, by flood
Main Cables:Wire

Notes:

Postcard, collection of David Denenberg

1892: (footbridge)

Anderson, Indiana, USA - White River
Bridgemeister ID:6467 (added 2021-08-13)
Year Completed:1892
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Anderson, Indiana, USA
Crossing:White River
Use:Footbridge
Status:Destroyed, March 27, 1921
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:3
Main Span:1
Side Spans:2

Annotated Citations:

External Links:


1918: Turkey Run State Park

Parke County, Indiana, USA - Sugar Creek
Bridgemeister ID:269 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1918
Name:Turkey Run State Park
Location:Parke County, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Sugar Creek
At or Near Feature:Turkey Run State Park
Coordinates:39.88926 N 87.19948 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
References:IMB
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2021)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 58.5 meters (192 feet) estimated

Notes:

  • IMB states, "The original bridge collapsed into Sugar Creek in 1917... the state's Department of Natural Resources promptly replaced the old with current structure."
  • James Rader writes in 2008: "Three years ago flooding came up high enough to allow a couple of uprooted Sycamore trees to hit the bridge ripping out a large section of the wood railing and flooring from the middle of the bridge. Bridge was immediately closed. Structural analysis was completed and repairs were made including all new floor planks. Bridge is in great condition and should serve for many many more years to come."

External Links:

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz Photo by Patrick S. O'Donnell Postcard, collection of Jochem Hollestelle

1923: Memorial Swinging

Winamac, Indiana, USA - Tippecanoe River
Bridgemeister ID:849 (added 2003-07-27)
Year Completed:1923
Name:Memorial Swinging
Also Known As:Soldiers and Sailors Memorial
Location:Winamac, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Tippecanoe River
At or Near Feature:City Park
Coordinates:41.05245 N 86.59936 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2021)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1

External Links:

Photo by Edward Windhorst Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz Photos courtesy of the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project

1939: Sullivan-Hutsonville

Hutsonville, Illinois and Sullivan, Indiana, USA - Wabash River
Bridgemeister ID:196 (added before 2003)
Year Completed:1939
Name:Sullivan-Hutsonville
Location:Hutsonville, Illinois and Sullivan, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Wabash River
Coordinates:39.1101 N 87.6551 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:Steinman & Robinson, R.V. Milbank, Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Co., Charles J. Glasgow
References:AAJ, BPL, IMB, SJR19880926
Use:Vehicular (two-lane), with walkway
Status:Demolished, 1989
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:3
Main Span:1 x 106.7 meters (350 feet)
Side Spans:2 x 45.7 meters (150 feet)
Deck width:20 feet
Characteristics:Self-anchored

Notes:

  • Demolished 1989. This bridge was Steinman's attempt at a self-anchored suspension bridge and met a controversial demise in 1989. An article in the September 26, 1988 issue of the Springfield, IL "The State Journal-Register" describes the ongoing controversy. The company to which the $100,000 demolition contract was let offered to turn the money over to save the bridge. The locals agreed, but the company's Chief Engineer Stephen Schneider was quoted, "I think Indiana really wants to tear it down. They've been ... forced to send inspectors out every two weeks. I think they just want the headache gone." Gary Abell, spokesman for the Indiana Dept. Of Highways said its design is "not one of the best. It works in theory, but not in practice. This is like trying to save a mistake." After a lot of back-and-forth, the locals gave up, "We've had it with them. We don't want anything more to do with it. They can tear the damn thing down." Animosity toward this bridge continues 13 years after its demolition. In 2002, in an email to Wayne Grodkiewicz (who provided me with much information about this bridge), an INDOT representative said, "I am not sure why you are interested in that bridge, but from our stand point, it was a very poorly designed bridge that had many many problems from the day that it was completed, until it was brought down."

External Links:


1966: (footbridge)

Indiana Beach, Indiana, USA - Lake Shafer
Bridgemeister ID:879 (added 2003-09-01)
Year Completed:1966
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Indiana Beach, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Lake Shafer
Coordinates:40.787346 N 86.770724 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:Extant (last checked: 2019)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)

Notes:

  • Large multi-span footbridge that serves as entrance to Indiana Beach amusement park.
Postcard, collection of David Denenberg

1988: (footbridge)

Richmond, Indiana, USA - Whitewater River
Bridgemeister ID:2307 (added 2007-04-30)
Year Completed:1988
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Richmond, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Whitewater River
At or Near Feature:Whitewater Gorge
Coordinates:39.83331 N 84.89902 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2007)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)

Photo by Stuart Brorson

2004: Riley

Delphi, Indiana, USA - Deer Creek
Bridgemeister ID:1785 (added 2005-05-17)
Year Completed:2004
Name:Riley
Location:Delphi, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Deer Creek
At or Near Feature:Riley Park
Coordinates:40.585167 N 86.669383 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2006)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1

Notes:

  • This is (at least) the third suspension bridge at this site. The previous bridges were built in 1911, 1988, and 1998. All three were destroyed by flood. It is unclear if the previous suspension bridges qualify for the Bridgemeister inventory.
Photo by Edward Windhorst Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz

2005: (footbridge)

Cambridge City, Indiana, USA - Whitewater River
Bridgemeister ID:2306 (added 2007-04-30)
Year Completed:2005
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Cambridge City, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Whitewater River
At or Near Feature:Creitz Park
Coordinates:39.81527 N 85.16978 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:Milestone Construction Co., Jim Sweet
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2008)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1

Notes:

  • Replaced a 1928 suspension bridge at the same location which had been destroyed by heavy snow and debris, December 2004. This predecessor appears to have been a drooping bridge.
Photo by Stuart Brorson Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz

(footbridge)

Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA - St. Mary's River
Bridgemeister ID:644 (added 2003-02-16)
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Crossing:St. Mary's River
At or Near Feature:Foster Park
Coordinates:41.04716 N 85.16566 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2019)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz

(footbridge)

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Bridgemeister ID:258 (added before 2003)
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
At or Near Feature:Riverside or Riverview Park
Use:Footbridge
Status:Destroyed, 1913
Main Cables:Wire

Notes:

  • Wayne Grodkiewicz reports, "I have been doing some investigation on the Riverview Park bridge in Indianapolis. From my investigation so far I have found that there was no Riverview Park in Indianapolis, however it was pointed out by Meg Purnsle from the Indianapolis Historical Society that postcard manufacturers often got names of places wrong on the cards. So it is probably Riverside Park. This park is 'on the corner' of 30th street and the White River. The park is still there in a way. It used to be an amusement park from 1903 to 1970. According to a 1915 map 30th street was extended over the White River and the existence of a foot bridge is not noted. So, the bad news is that this bridge was [probably] torn down sometime between 1912 and 1915. As far as Riverside Park, there is nothing there now but trees. There are some ornate concrete park bridges there now over the White River and the Canal." After further investigation, Wayne wrote: "I have been in contact with the Indiana Historical Society about the bridge at Riverside Park. They have told me there is no concrete documentation about the demise of this bridge but it is general consensus that it was destroyed in the flood of March 1913. It was never replaced."
Postcard, collection of David Denenberg

(footbridge)

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Bridgemeister ID:2876 (added 2019-09-13)
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Use:Footbridge
Status:Removed
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:3
Main Spans:3

Notes:

  • There have been at least two suspension bridges at the speedway. This was a larger three-span wide footbridge that was in existence in 1909.

(footbridge)

Logansport, Indiana, USA - Wabash River
Bridgemeister ID:1695 (added 2005-03-27)
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Logansport, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Wabash River
Use:Footbridge
Status:Removed
Main Cables:Wire
Suspended Spans:1

Postcard, collection of David Denenberg

(footbridge)

Merrillville, Indiana, USA
Bridgemeister ID:2546 (added 2011-12-31)
Name:(footbridge)
Location:Merrillville, Indiana, USA
At or Near Feature:Hidden Lake Park
Coordinates:41.50220 N 87.32817 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:Collapsed, July 4, 2009
Main Cables:Wire

Notes:

  • Collapsed July 4, 2009 under weight of crowd attending an Independence Day celebration. Main span is said to have been about 90 feet.

(footbridge)

St. Leon vicinity, Indiana, USA
Bridgemeister ID:2587 (added 2014-04-14)
Name:(footbridge)
Location:St. Leon vicinity, Indiana, USA
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2010)
Main Cables:Wire
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz

(pipeline bridge)

Eagle Creek Township and Keener Township, Indiana, USA - Kankakee River
Bridgemeister ID:8412 (added 2024-03-03)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Eagle Creek Township and Keener Township, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Kankakee River
Coordinates:41.220361 N 87.270806 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2023)
Main Spans:1 x 72 meters (236.2 feet) estimated,
1 x 25 meters (82 feet) estimated

Notes:


(pipeline bridge)

Eagle Creek Township, Indiana, USA - Singleton Ditch
Bridgemeister ID:8409 (added 2024-03-03)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Eagle Creek Township, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Singleton Ditch
Coordinates:41.260667 N 87.300861 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2023)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 20 meters (65.6 feet) estimated

Notes:

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz

(pipeline bridge)

Eagle Creek Township, Indiana, USA - Little Ditch
Bridgemeister ID:8410 (added 2024-03-03)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Eagle Creek Township, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Little Ditch
Coordinates:41.257639 N 87.298583 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2023)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 21 meters (68.9 feet) estimated

Notes:

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz

(pipeline bridge)

Eagle Creek Township, Indiana, USA - Brown Ditch
Bridgemeister ID:8411 (added 2024-03-03)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Eagle Creek Township, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Brown Ditch
Coordinates:41.239583 N 87.285444 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2023)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 16 meters (52.5 feet) estimated

Notes:


(pipeline bridge)

Gary, Indiana, USA - Grand Calumet River
Bridgemeister ID:7122 (added 2022-06-17)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Gary, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Grand Calumet River
Coordinates:41.608340 N 87.349447 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2022)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Main Span:1 x 61 meters (200.1 feet) estimated

Notes:


(pipeline bridge)

Gary, Indiana, USA - Grand Calumet River
Bridgemeister ID:7123 (added 2022-06-17)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Gary, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Grand Calumet River
Coordinates:41.608436 N 87.349509 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2022)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Main Span:1 x 74 meters (242.8 feet) estimated

Notes:


(pipeline bridge)

Gary, Indiana, USA - Grand Calumet River
Bridgemeister ID:7124 (added 2022-06-17)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Gary, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Grand Calumet River
Coordinates:41.608849 N 87.348776 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Main Span:1

Notes:


(pipeline bridge)

Keener Township, Indiana, USA - Brent Ditch
Bridgemeister ID:8413 (added 2024-03-03)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Keener Township, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Brent Ditch
Coordinates:41.206889 N 87.261222 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2023)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 14 meters (45.9 feet) estimated

Notes:


(pipeline bridge)

Keener Township, Indiana, USA - Dehaan Ditch
Bridgemeister ID:8414 (added 2024-03-03)
Name:(pipeline bridge)
Location:Keener Township, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Dehaan Ditch
Coordinates:41.202500 N 87.258056 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Pipeline
Status:Extant (last checked: 2023)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 14.5 meters (47.6 feet) estimated

Notes:


Swinging

Danville, Indiana, USA - White Lick Creek
Bridgemeister ID:1266 (added 2004-03-14)
Name:Swinging
Location:Danville, Indiana, USA
Crossing:White Lick Creek
At or Near Feature:Ellis Park
Coordinates:39.762317 N 86.5152 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2005)
Main Cables:Wire
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 41.8 meters (137 feet) estimated

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz Photo by Patrick S. O'Donnell

Trailhead Park

Delphi, Indiana, USA - Deer Creek
Bridgemeister ID:2577 (added 2013-03-27)
Name:Trailhead Park
Location:Delphi, Indiana, USA
Crossing:Deer Creek
At or Near Feature:Delphi Trails Entrance
Coordinates:40.57327 N 86.68522 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2012)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1

Photo by Wayne Grodkiewicz


Do you have any information or photos for these bridges that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


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