Mill Race Park

Columbus Indiana’s award winning Mill Race Park

/ Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Columbus Indiana’s Mill Race Park is located on a flood plain on the west side of downtown. The award winning design takes that in account, for example, the restrooms are made to allow the annual flooding to flow through the glass block buildings with no damage.

Inside showing bridge trusses

One of my favorite parts of the park is the beautiful relocated covered bridge. Originally built in 1840 over the White River, it was rebuilt in 1995 at Mill Race Park. It remains the only Long Truss Structure in the state.

Mill Race Park in Columbus Indiana

/ Roadtirementvintage / 1 Comment

Mill Race Park is situated where the Flat Rock and the Driftwood rivers join together on the west side of Columbus. The 35 acre park is an extremely popular place to walk, picnic, attend concerts, climb the tall observation tower or just simply enjoy a bit of Nature.

The bottom of the bridge is in the background

Duck enjoying the reflecting pond

 

 

 

 

 

Among the attractions at the park are a large reflecting pond ringed by sidewalks and benches. One side of the pond features the historic covered bridge. Columbus is known for its public art displays, and several are located in the park. One recent addition to the park landscape is a set of tall, wooden poles topped with bat nesting boxes. The poles are set in rock cairns for shelter of amphibians and reptiles.

Each provides shelter for bats, birds, amphibians and reptiles

The lovely pond, suitable for leisurely walks or resting

The brick “monument” with bronze info plaque (yes, that’s us)

The brick “monument” complete with an arch and flanked by a bronze information plaque is a highly visible structure. The plaque describes the mill race that ran through acreage. It also listed the many industries along the old mill race, including mills and brickyards. The Mill Race Park in Columbus is a delightful place. It is worth your visit.

 

Indiana’s only Long truss covered bridge

/ Roadtirementvintage / 19 Comments

This historic bridge has had quite the history. Originally constructed in Union County in 1840, this Long truss design covered bridge was built by Adam Mason and designed by Col. Stephen H. Long. Time passed, and the bridge was dismantled in 1974 and stored in Indianapolis.


 

 

 

 

The bridge was rebuilt at half its original length at the Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana. There the bridge provides both a one lane driving road and spans part of the water leading to a lovely pond circled by concrete sidewalks. Mill Creek Park is an extremely popular park close to downtown Columbus.