Greencastle Travel Guide

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  • 1907 Buildings still in Use
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  •   Things to Do
    by Toughluck
  •   Things to Do
    by Toughluck
 

Explore Greencastle

Things to Do  

Houck Bridge
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While most of the bridges in Putnam and Parke Counties are Burr Arches, this is a Howe Truss. Built in 1990 by a bridge company (Massillon Bridge Company, it is one of a few that are not built by the J.A. Britton or J.J. Daniels. This is 210' (64.6 m) long in two spans. It has cut stone abutments and is one of the taller bridges at 15' (4.6 m). Named for the local land owner at tis time of construction.

See my Houck Bridge travelogue for more images.

Updated May 7, 2007

Address: 550 S at 475 W

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Road Trip
 Architecture

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Rolling Stone Covered Bridge
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Built by J.A. Britton in 1915, this Burr Arch Truss crosses the Big Walnut. Of the nine bridges in Putnam County, 7 cross the Big Walnut. The bridge is 103' (31.7 M) long in a single span. The story goes that there was a large boulder that rolled around in the creek from the action of the running water. Because such a rock could destroy the abutments, it was removed when the bridge was built. So all that's left of this unique feature is the name of the bridge.

Updated May 7, 2007

Address: U.S. 36 east of U.S. 231

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Road Trip
 Festivals

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Covered Bridges
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Putnam County is right next to Parke County and it's covered bridges, but Putnam has 9 of it's own covered bridges. Each worth a visit. Check the attached web-site for local directions and more pictures.

The Dick Huffman or Webster CB is the furthest south, just off I-70. Of course it's not at an exit.

Houck CB sites out in the country, where you feel as if the farmers might still be using horse and wagons.

The Edna Collins CB is considered to be haunted.

The Dunbar CB is nearest to Greencastle. Take US 231 north, under the concrete railroad viaduct. Immediately (and I mean immediate - slow down and put your signal on as you pass under the viaduct) take the road left. It leads directly to the bridge.

The Baker Camp CB is east of Brainbridge on the old US 36. There are three in this area, including.

The Rolling Stone CB which is the next parallel north of US 36. A third CB is one parallel north of the Rolling Stone. This and Pine Bluff CB required you travel on gravel roads.

The Cornstalk CB is the furthest north. You follow the signs on US 231 for the town of Raccoon. Don't be surprised when it looks more like a spare parts repository. Take the road out of town to the south. It winds a bit, but comes to the bridge over Raccoon Creek.
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Visit my Travelogue of the Covered Bridges of Putnam County.

For additional covered bridges in neighboring countys see:
West - Turkey Run State Park page
- Narrows CB Travelogue
West - Rockville - Parke County page
Far Northwest - Veedersburg - Fountain County page
Northwest - Shades State Park - Deer Mill CB

Updated May 7, 2007

Address: Putnam County

Website: http://www.countyhistory.com/coveredbridge/start.html

Related to:
 Festivals
 Road Trip
 Historical Travel

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Cornstalk Covered Bridge
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The Cornstalk Covered Bridge is one of the newest covered bridges, as it was built in 1917 by J.A. Britton. It's single span is 82' (25.2 m). It is 16' (4.9 m) wide and 14' (4.3 m)high. It is named for the Constalk Creek, over which it carries traffic.

Updated May 6, 2007

Address: Outside Raccoon

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Festivals
 Historical Travel

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Dunbar Covered Bridge
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Built in 1880 by locals, with timber fromt he Dunbar farm. This is a 2-span Burr Arch truss of 174' (53.5 m). It is only 13' 6" high (4.2 m), just under the size of a hay wagon (16' or 5.9 m). It is also on stone abutments.

Written May 6, 2007

Address: 1st road west on U.S. 231 north from Greenville

Related to:
 Festivals
 Road Trip
 Historical Travel

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Baker Camp Covered Bridge
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Also known as Hillis Bridge, it was built in 1901 by J.J. daniels and is a Burr Arch truss. It crosses Big Walnut Creek at 128' (118.2 m). It has stone abutments and is 13' (4 m) high (not enough for a traditional hay wagon (16' or 4.9 m))

Written May 6, 2007

Address: U.S. 36 east of U.S. 231

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Festivals
 Road Trip

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See the WWII Buzz Bomb
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V for Victory
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The Buzz Bomb

This war machine is a German built V-1, Commonly known as the 'Buzz Bomb'. Adolf Hitler unleased the V-1, the precursor of the Cruise Missle against London in 1944. It was a new German Weapon, literally a flying bomb. Officially it was simply FZG-76. The Pilotless, anti-aircraft designation was a ruse to throw allied spies off track. In Brittan it was known as the 'doodlebug'. This is one of two 'Buzz Bombs' in the United States. The other is in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It is intended as a memorial to those who lost their lives in WWII from Putnam County.

Updated Nov 4, 2006

Address: On Courthouse Square

Website: http://www.greencastleindiana.com/

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Historical Travel

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Hotels  

Commercial House Bed & Breakfast: the midwests finest bed & breakfast

Commercial House Bed & Breakfast: the midwests finest bed & breakfast, Greencastle

 fiica Says:  a turn of the century brick warehouse beautifully renovated into a bed and breakfast with the modern traveler in mind.it's character is incredible! floor to ceiling brick walls, exposed i-beam construction, greencastle antiquities, free weight workout gym, billiard room,... 

Restaurants  

The Monon (I think)?: Railroad Motiff
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This was a crowded little place. Right near the old tracks. It's tucked away behind some larger buildings. Well, actually, it's right on the US 231 on the north edge of town. Coming from town (i.e., the courthouse), it'll be on the left and it's small and not readally seen. You'll see the blue caboose first, and it's just beyond the restaurant. From the north it's easier to see as you'll cross the tracks and only the blue caboose will block your view and it's set further back than the restaurant.

NOTE: They don't take credit cards, bring cash.

Favorite Dish: The steak sandwich and the patty melt are the two we tried and they were good. The patty melt was done correctly. Rye break and swiss. It's my sign of good food. There was a line and nobody left without waiting for a seat. It's loved by the locals.

Written Nov 4, 2006

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Road Trip

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Map of Greencastle