Paoli, IN Gospel Street Bridge (#0290)

Just south of the courthouse in Paoli, the Gospel Street iron truss bridge, originally build in 1880 by the Cleveland Bridge and Iron Co. (See the Bridgehunter page)

The story behind why it looks ‘new’ is fascinating, with some interesting twists. In 2015 the bridge was destroyed by what many describe (and it seems accurate) idiot truck driver who tried to drive a way too big semi truck across the bridge (see the ‘destruction’ link). Thankfully there was a push to rebuild the bridge and the trucking company’s insurance paid a good portion of the reconstruction. When the bridge was rededicated (see the ‘rebuild’ link), the rebuilt bridge was named for a Jewish immigrant who had moved to Paoli just after WWI and had left a significant amount of money to Paoli for philanthropic services.

Sources:

Destruction: blog.jimgrey.net/2015/12/28/1880-paoli-bridge-destroyed
Rebuild: www.indianalandmarks.org/2018/01/damaged-paoli-bridge-reopens
Bridgehunter: bridgehunter.com/in/orange/5900102