CR-650 North Bridge

Information and Findings From DHPA Historic Bridge Survey

Bridge History and Significance

The Decatur county commissioners contracted with Hodson for construction of three stone-arch spans across Little Flatrock at Downeyville in April 1903 for $1,431. The contractor and a series of his subcontractors received payments for materials and labor in October and November. Hodson was paid the balance due him of $523 in March 1904, probably when construction of the three spans were completed to the satisfaction of county officials. Hodson built the three 24-foot semi-circular stone arches at the heart of the bridge. The board awarded J. M. Mathews a contract on 5 August 1907 for an "extra arch" to the bridge near Lafayette Shelhorn's farm. In November, Mathews received $754 for his arch which is likely to have been the one with the segmental ring. In 1988, the stone parapets were replaced with metal W-rails when the gravel roadway was modernized with a slab of reinforced concrete. In 1988 the original parapet rails and deck were replaced with a slightly-cantilevered concrete slab deck and metal rails. References American Consulting Engineers, Inc., Bridge Inventory and Inspection Report: Decatur County (Nashville, 1973). AECON, Bridge Reinspection Study and Report: Decatur County (Nashville, 1977, 1981, 1987, 1995). Butler, Fairman, and Seufert, Inc., Bridge Inspection Report: Decatur County, Indiana (Indianapolis, 1997). "Commissioners Court," The Greensburg News, 9 August 1907: p4 c6. Decatur County, "Commissioners Record," 19: 264, 436, 450, 452, 483, 485, 497; 20: 40; 21: 493, 534; 19: 452; 20: 40; "Council Proceedings," 1: 83, 167. Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory, Decatur County: Interim Report (Indianapolis, 1999), 21, 23.

Material: Laurel limestone, quarry-faced, coursed rubble, mortared joints.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes