Vermont Covered Bridge (Kokomo, Indiana) | interesting place

 interesting place, covered bridge

The bright red covered bridge in Highland Park is the final remaining Smith Type #3 Trusses in Indiana. The Vermont Covered bridge is a transplant from the town of the same name, which is about 5 miles east of Kokomo.

After surviving floods, at least one arson attempt and a reckless coal delivery driver, the Vermont Covered Bridge was threatened by another prominent covered bridge destroyer. In 1957, plans for the new Kokomo Reservoir called for flooding the valley at the bridge site. The old wooden bridge was to be replaced with a wider and longer concrete span, built on higher ground.

The late M.E.White, then president of the Howard County Historical Society, proposed moving the span to one of Kokomo's parks. It is mostly through his efforts that the bridge has been preserved. The total cost of moving the bridge was under $3,500. The Kokomo Parks Department constructed the new abutments for the covered bridge.

In January of 1992, through the Parks Department, the bridge received a new shake roof. In the fall of 2004, the bridge received a new coat of paint. The Vermont Covered Bridge is open to foot traffic during the summer months.