Covered bridge destruction concerns officials and citizens

Recent flooding damaged the Grange City Covered Bridge even more. Officials and citizens alike remained concerned about the historic bridge. Photos by Amber Hodge.

The covered bridge capitol of Kentucky is Fleming County, which has three covered bridges, but concerned citizens and officials alike say that number may soon be reduced to two covered bridges if action isn’t taken to prevent the destruction of the Grange City Covered Bridge.

“I am aware of the condition of Grange City and Ringos Bridge. These landmarks are one of things that makes Fleming County unique,” State Representative John Sims Jr., said over the weekend. “Unfortunately there is no state funding to match the federal dollars right now. Hopefully in the future we can secure funds to fix the bridges.”

Fleming County once had several covered bridges, but now only three exist at Grange City, Ringos Mills and Goddard, with the Goddard Covered Bridge being perhaps the most famous of its kind in Kentucky.

The Goddard Covered Bridge was fully renovated under the guidance of Master Bridge Builder Arnold Graton several years ago when the covered bridges were being maintained by the state’s Dept. of Transportation. But now they fall under the direction of the state’s Dept. of Parks where little or no funding exists.

Goddard Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge in Fleming County that still allows motor vehicle traffic.

The Grange City Covered Bridge was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1976 and was built between 1865 and 1871.

It has been crumbling little by little into Fox Creek for over a decade.

Covered Bridge author, Melissa Jurgensen, who wrote the book, “Through Their Eyes: Covered Bridges of Fleming County”, which featured nine covered bridges that were once located in the county, has been concerned about the Grange City Covered Bridge for years.

With tourism dollars at stake, Jurgensen says the task at hand of protecting the covered bridges can no longer be ignored.

“Bourbon and the horse industry aren’t the only reason tourists visit Kentucky,” she said. “Numerous times I have met people from out of our state while visiting the covered bridges. The bridges are a source of tourism revenue and they need to be cared for, promoted and celebrated. When people visit our covered bridges, they eat at local restaurants, stay at Bed and Breakfasts’, buy local goods and visit area businesses.”

During a visit to the Grange City covered bridge this week, the poor state of structure was easily noticeable and a possible danger to anyone who ventures inside the ancient structure, especially children.

“We should not drag our feet getting started on the next bridge restoration project,” Jurgensen said. “Federal funds have been approved and they are just sitting in an account to help restore the Ringo’s Mills Covered Bridge, but could be used for Grange City. It is more cost-effective to restore our covered bridges than it is to let them crumble and fall and then scramble to rebuild them. Emergency stabilization for Grange City should be the top priority right now.”