Bridgeton, IN

Yesterday we drove to Bridgeton, IN a town in the Raccoon Township, Parke County, Indiana.  It is a small town that looks the same as it did 100 + years ago.  The population is 818 with a median income of $16,000 and a median age of 38.  The Mills in the area kept the town going after the Battle of Tippecanoe and because flour was a hard product to get corn was milled and bread and other items were made.  The mill, originally called Lockwood Mill was the central point of the town where everyone would meet and catch up on news.  It was also a point where whiskey could be purchased so it became a drinking and gathering place.  Sometimes it was referred to as 'Sodom'.  Lockwood mill burned down  and Bridgeton Mill was built in 1869.  In 1870 a post office was built and the town changed its name to Bridgeton.  In the next several years more buildings were built and it became a successful town.  The Bridgeton Covered Bridge was built in 1868 by JJ Daniels and is 245 ft long with a double span Burr Arch design.  It was closed to traffic in 1968 and was burned down by an arsonist in 2005.  The town's citizens, along with the State of Indiana, rebuilt the bridge in 2006 and built it historically correct to the the original plans.  Today Bridgeton is a town that opens for events.  There are only two two places open from May to Sept daily and that is the General store and the Mill.  The Mill is the oldest and continuously run Mill west of the Allegheny Mountains.  Bridgeton is a nice place to visit and it was nice without an event but next time I visit I want to go when an event is going on.  People will dress in period attire and all the stores are open. 
Today we head West to Waterloo, Iowa.  The next three days are going to be travel days getting from Clinton, IN to Rapid City, SD, a little over 1000 miles. Once we are in Rapid City we will be seeing a lot so check back and see what we come across!  Westward Ho!