Peering through the 343 foot long interior of the Medora Covered Bridge, it's easy to see why it's been locally named the Dark Covered Bridge. This triple span bridge was used for nearly a 100 years to cross Indiana's East Fork of the White River. This early morning view catches America's second longest covered bridge in its best light. Closer examination reveals the lack of care for this record setter. Although the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program has spent nearly 700,000 dollars for structural repairs, the bridge is showing signs of neglect. The Jackson County covered bridge was by-passed in 1972 with a modern concrete bridge. The Medora bridge, no longer needed, may have failed to stir local interests.
     Indiana's bridge building era began when America's first National Road crossed the state. Since 1830, Indiana may have had as many as 600 to 800 covered bridges. The Medora Bridge, built in 1875 by J.J. Daniels, is one of the last of Indiana's 91 standing covered bridges.