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Parke County bills itself as the "Covered Bridge Capital of the World", with a total of 31 covered bridges still standing. In the 1800s and early 1900s wooden bridges were practical and economical due to the abundance of timber in western Indiana, and many bridges were built to span numerous creeks. Bridges were covered to protect wooden floorboards as well as to calm horses which did not like to cross open bridges over moving water.

Most of the bridges are still in use and are open to one lane traffic.  The 126 foot long 1914 McAllister bridge in the photo crosses Little Raccoon Creek on dirt County Road 400S just east of Bridgeton Road.

Today the bridges are a tourist attraction.  The Covered Bridge Festival begins in a few days, and every town and highway for miles around is gearing up for the throng of people the festival attracts.  I attended 30+ years ago, and no thank you to the experience of thousands of people and cars lining tiny country roads for miles!  I'd rather go before or after the festival and skip the commercialism.