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Corn, Cows, and Covered Bridges LbNA #32257 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 26, 2007
Location:
City:Greencastle
County:Putnam
State:Indiana
Boxes:3
Planted by:Team New Creation
Found by: PutnamPals
Last found:Oct 1, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFFFFaar
Last edited:Jun 26, 2007
Putnam County, Indiana is the home of several covered bridges. We hope you enjoy this drive to the three covered bridges closest to the town of Greencastle. Be sure to take the time to read the signs with historical information located near or on these beautiful bridges. Also note that this trip may take at least an hour to completely finish.

Beginning from the Putnam County’s courthouse located in Greencastle on US 231, take US 231 North (Jackson St.) and head out of town. Cross over the railroad tracks and continue. Once you pass under the overpass you will take the first road on the left (25 S). At the T turn right and follow the road as it goes along Walnut Creek. You may see some cornfields along the way (or soybeans, depending on the year!) Directly before the bridge you will notice an area to pull off on the right hand side. Welcome to Dunbar Bridge! The informational sign is before it if you would like to read it. Walk to the right of the gate along the guardrail. Once you are inside the field, head toward the bridge. Cross under the bridge. Look for two large stones on the ground near a tree. One will be lying up against the other. In between these stones you will find “Dunbar”. Please return the box so it is hidden well.

Drive across Dunbar Bridge. Stay on this road until you come to a T. Turn left onto
300 W. Be careful on this road and take your time. You will eventually come to a stop sign. Once at the stop sign you will turn left again (100 S). As you cross Elbert G. Irwin Bridge you can see the top of the courthouse in the distance. Do you see any cows on the left hand side as you are heading down the hill? Once at the bottom of the hill you will see a road going off to the right just before the bridge. (If you cross the creek, you’ve gone too far.) Turn here (200 W) and follow the road for about 2 miles. It will be a gravel road most of the way. Enjoy the cornfields as you go! Once you get to the next covered bridge find a place to park. (Do not go through the bridge yet.) Welcome to Oakalla Bridge! BEWARE this is a popular swimming hole, be stealthy. As you face the bridge you will see guardrails on both sides of the bridge. Head over to the one on the left hand side. Now look behind the first post of the guardrail. Do you see a large rock with a little one between it and the post? Remove the smaller rock and you will find “Oakalla.” Be sure you put everything back just as you found it. Just inside the bridge is the sign concerning its history.

Now you can cross over the bridge. Follow the road until you get to a stop sign. Turn right onto 300 S. Stay on this road. There are a few things you should look out for. Of course there is corn and don’t forget the cows. You will also see Boone- Hutcheson Cemetery on your left. At the stop sign you will turn right (550 S). This time you will first need to drive over the bridge. Once on the other side of the bridge you will have to make a u-turn to park in the gravel area facing the bridge. Welcome to Houck Bridge! You will take the path on your right hand side beside the field that heads down under the bridge. Once under the bridge you will notice three large cylinders standing vertically. Approach the two that are closest to each other. On the left hand side of the two cylinders is a large flat rock lying on the ground. Lift it up and you will find “Houck.” Be sure you put everything back as you found it. Information about the bridge in on a sign located at the entrance of the bridge.

Finding your way back is simple. Drive back across the bridge (be careful!) and continue on that same road until you come to a stop sign. By turning left on Manhattan Road you will end up at the courthouse again. Turning right will take you to US 40. We hope you enjoyed your letterboxing trip through three of the beautiful covered bridges in Putnam County!