Ripley County Indiana is a scenic land of rolling hills, wooded tracts interspersed with farming enterprises. Amongst the unique sites include a wonderful stone arch bridge just outside the tiny village of Friendship. This bridge was constructed in 1909 on the Olean Road where the road crosses Raccoon Creek.
From a distance
The approach to the bridge
Nearly perfect stonework
Side view of the stone work arches
The stonework on the four arches is really a stone mason’s dream. This bridge has spans over 20 feet. The deck is nearly 15 feet wide over the 103 foot length. Stone arch bridges were a very common design for many rural stream and river and there are eleven still standing in Ripley County alone, according to records.
Raccoon Creek is typical of southern Indiana hill country drainage streams. Usually running, it can go dry in droughts. The bubbling sound of the passing of the water adds to the serenity of this environment.
Roadtirement 
Cool bridge.
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Love this stonework. There were real craftsman back then…
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That’s just charming
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A great and accurate description, Sheree, thanks!
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Pleasure
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We used to have these masterly built stone bridges in Europe as well; there are still some in Great Britain and the south of Europe, alas, not so many up here in the north. They are so worthwhile to preserve!
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The craftsmanship of the stonemasons is just wonderous. Thanks for sharing, Stella!
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