Westport Covered Bridge, Westport Indiana
The Westport Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge in Decatur County, Indiana, and is one of the few remaining examples of the work of the A. M. Kennedy family, noted Indiana bridge builders.
Archibald McMichael Kennedy was a carpenter who began constructing small bridges in Wabash County in 1853. His first major bridge project, in Union County, was completed in 1870. His son, Emmett, joined him in his work and the pair built many bridges together until 1884, when Archibald left the firm. From 1884 to 1886, Emmett and his brother, Charles, operated the firm as Kennedy Brothers, but in 1886 Charles left the firm and Emmett worked alone until 1914, when his own sons joined him. In all, the Kennedy family is credited with the construction of 58 covered bridges, of which only 13 survive. The Westport Bridge is apparently the only covered bridge ever constructed in Decatur County.
Bridge Description
The Westport Covered Bridge is located on Road 1100S in a rural setting 1.7 miles east of Westport, Indiana. This single-span bridge was built in 1880 by A. M. Kennedy and Son, using the Burr arch design, one of the era's most common systems of bridge construction. Built to span Sand Creek, the structure is 130' long, 16' wide, and 13' high, and is supported by limestone abutments at either end. Structural members are protected by a gable roof and horizontal shiplap siding. The roof was originally covered with wooden shingles, but this material has since been replaced with metal roofing. The portals at either end of the bridge were originally rounded arches supported by pilastered corner boards, but these openings have since been altered.
Under the gable is a plain, wide frieze board which carries a series of paired cornice brackets. In 1922, a portion of the siding was removed from either side of the bridge for its entire length, to provide increased visibility. The resulting openings are protected by long shed awnings projecting from either side of the structure, covered with asphalt composition shingles. The bridge is structurally sound and was used for vehicular traffic until 1973. It is still open to pedestrian traffic.
East entrance to bridge (1976)
West entrance to bridge (1979)
